For the sake of better understanding the inner workings of the "mysterious Russian soul", I've compiled a long list of polls which, put together, make for a rather compelling image, one that I hope will dismiss the idea of the "silent majority of the good Russian people". 🧵
While apparently a lot of people in Africa still hold somewhat of a positive view of Russia, less then 1 in 10 Russians would even conceive having someone from Africa as a family member, neighbor, friend, coworker or all round go as far as to see them as a human being.
When it comes to the Central Asian migrants, I presume those miniscule percentages of the good Russian people willing to see them as more than slaves, are the Russian people of Central Asian origin.
Despite the claims of various academics and the Russian opposition of a silent majority of Russians that feel something even remotely close to compassion or sympathy for Ukrainians, these surveys spanning across the past 6 years paint a very different image.
It turns out the self appointed champions and crusaders of "de-nazification" view Jewish people strikingly similar to how 1930s Germany did.
Being a Russian ally and keeping the Russian economy alive, didn't seem to have made that much of a difference to how the good citizens of Russia see the Chinese people.
Only about 30% of the good Christians of Russia would have an issue with the capital punishment, with the rest either not caring or being in favor of it, despite fully knowing just what kind of a justice system Russia has.
While it's widely claimed the young Russians are different given they aren't as "touched" by regime propaganda, it turns out they're the least likely Russians to actually have an issue with torture.
While this particular poll does probably have some bias, do notice how many chose a whole heartedly "definitely yes" instead of just a "yes".
While bombing children's hospitals and obliterating everything in their path in Ukraine at the price of about 1000 of their own people a day, the good Russian people are about as much bothered by the war as they are about the rising retirement age.
When looking at the reasons given by those Russians who would leave Russia if they could, it becomes rather hard to believe the image painted by the Russian opposition of the "good Russian people that are lied to about the West".
Because when they talk about "traditional values" they probably mean hypocrisy, your average Russian would rather chose a "woke, decadent and collapsing" Western democracy to move to, instead of their Chinese BRICS overlord and champion.
While for the most part the pro-Palestine "activists" seem to somewhat gravitate towards Russia, Russians at best don't care about Palestine. And never did.
In the spirit of making it harder for your average Russian propagandist to label everything in this thread as "Western lies and manipulation", all the polls listed here are done by Levada Center, a Russian polling institute fairly well tied to the Russian state.
@billrfinearts Those surveys I did leave out (from those done by Levada in 2024) are essentially just the ones referring to the Russian elections and Putin approval ratings, which we are all aware of and probably contain most bias.
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Given that we all could probably use a bit of lighthearted humor right now, and since it’s been quite some time since my last “News from Romania” thread, here’s an all time best of collection of the funniest and most absurd real bits of news I’ve collected over the years. 🧵
Enjoying the location and not allowing himself to be disheartened by the fact that it was very occupied, a Romanian man built his house right on top of an apartment block.
Due to some obscure piece of legislation and the sheer difficulty of it, the house cannot be demolished.
After having built a brand new school in the village, a mayor made an appeal to his fellow villagers to come help demolish the old decrepit school. The entire community answered the call and, in a misguided zeal of enthusiasm, demolished both schools, old and new.
Over the past year, I’ve constantly asked myself how it is possible that 77 million people voted to have this abomination as their president for a second time. While I certainly don’t have the answer just yet, I think I’ve come up with a rather accurate how-to guide of sorts.🧵
First and foremost, it is essential to acknowledge that ending up in an autocracy or a full fledged dictatorship is something that can only happen to other people. Of all times and all places, you alone are lucky enough to find yourself in the one spot magically immune to it.
Of all things promised by the simpleton you plan to vote for, it is most important to keep in mind he obviously only intends to do the things you agree with. Every single one of those plans or promises you personally disagree with, he obviously can't or won't actually do.
Since I happen to be from Transylvania, seeing so many people claim that Stephen Miller is a vampire led me to take a closer look at the life of this man suspiciously passionate about racial purity, currently serving as the US shadow president, for all intents and purposes.🧵
Having went bald and aged some 37 years between the ages of 15 and 17 and already an avid reader of "Guns&Ammo" magazine by the age of 12, Miller would eventually let his only childhood friend know they can't be friends anymore on grounds of him being the wrong shade of white.
Failing in his bid for Student Government, having run on a platform that argued students should not have to pick up trash, because, in his view, that was the "God given role of Black and Latino janitors", Miller began incessantly calling into local neo-Nazi radio shows.
Have you been looking for a place to relax, unwind and quite possibly significantly shorten your lifespan? Are you passionate about forced labor? Is indoor plumbing not really your thing? Here's a few cities in Russia you should absolutely consider as your next trip abroad!🧵
Famous for having the world’s largest Lenin head and pretty much nothing else really, Ulan-Ude is highly recommended to those looking to experience a sense of existential insignificance and dread, best appreciated while standing directly beneath Lenin’s unblinking gaze.
While not particularly popular with tourists, residents or anyone that's ever heard of it for that matter, Saratov answered the rather obnoxious popular demands for sanitation, roads, healthcare and running water with a substantial amount of mud that covers everyone's needs.
To remind Donald Trump and his supporters why the US now finds itself without allies willing to provide the help Trump desperately wants but claims he doesn’t need, in the war he says he won, here’s a sample of the many comments he has made about US allies over the past year. 🧵
Canada
In just a year, Donald Trump made tens of comments about his desire to annex Canada, posting maps and attempting to tariff it into submission. Just 6 days ago, for what is probably the hundredth time, Donald Trump refereed to the PM of Canada as "the future governor".
Denmark
Up until not even two months, Donald Trump continued to announce daily that he will invade and annex Greenland, repeatedly refusing to rule out using military force against Danish soldiers and going as far as to essentially appoint a "future governor" for the island.
In an attempt to explain just why it is that some 77 million Americans voted for the dumbest man alive to be their president for a second time, I’m absolutely delighted to present you with the expanded list of US food that you cannot legally sell in Europe!🧵
US Instant Mashed Potatoes
Stuffed with enough BHA and BHT preservatives to give the product an expiration date of absolutely never, most of Europe has outright banned the product, depriving Europeans from what is otherwise a cheap and convenient way to encourage hair loss.
US Fake Blueberries
Banned in the EU but found in nearly every US product claiming to have actual blueberries in it, the fake blueberries get their blue from a totally safe and tasty petroleum derived dye, one highly recommended for those looking to grow a third arm.