Earlier this month your humble Moravia correspondent typed up a blog post urging his cherished and very attractive readers to avoid the temptation of making sweeping generalizations about Russia’s economy.

But to help you make up your own mind about what the heck is happening in Russia, economically, I have compiled some views on this subject from across Russian media. I hope you find this information mildly informative, and I wish you a very pleasant day.

https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/deep-thoughts-about-the-russian-economy

Strelkov warned almost a year ago that his arrest would mean that the “liberal oligarchic group [in Russia] has won” https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/security-forces-arrest-igor-strelkov

A Moscow court ruled that Strelkov will remain in pre-trial detention until September 18. An investigation into "extremism" was opened on July 18, purportedly triggered by several of Strelkov's posts on Telegram. [Interfax]

Russia’s Ministry of Health wants to switch from “mass vaccination” to injecting “vulnerable categories of citizens”. According to the ministry, risk groups that should still get their COVID injections include: People aged 60 years or older, as well as individuals with chronic diseases, autoimmune disorders, or cancer. Those who have not been previously “diagnosed” with COVID, and/or have not been vaccinated against the Virus, are also considered “vulnerable”. Okay. 🤷‍♂️ [RIA Novosti]

There’s not much ambiguity here: Putin believes AI is the future, and Herman Gref's Sber (“not a bank, but a whole universe of services”) should shepherd the Russian flock towards a brighter, AI-driven tomorrow.

https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/the-future-will-be-artificial-and

Edward Slavsquat wishes you a very pleasant and serene Sunday, and welcomes you to the traditional Weekend Link-Dump & Open Thread.

Shill your URLs accordingly. Or just say ahoj in the comments section. That’s also perfectly fine.

https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/at-least-we-have-each-other-7a3

An Edward Slavsquat EXCLUSIVE https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/moravia-is-the-last-place-where-you

Although a mere formality at this point, Putin "officially" approved the Bank of Russia's CBDC on Monday, after the State Duma passed legislation on the introduction of this centralized and programmable digital token earlier this month. RT's coverage of this historic event is nothing less than impressive: "Unlike virtual currencies such as Bitcoin, the digital ruble is projected to pose minimal risk..." 🫠 [source: Question More]

Excluding state and corporate media, the digital ruble has not been particularly well received in Russia—probably because most Russians understand the grave dangers and risks that come with the adoption of a centralized, programmable digital token issued and controlled by an IMF-obedient central bank that operates independently from the Russian state. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/th-bank-of-russias-cbdc-myth-vs-reality

Russia’s Health Ministry wants to amend the National Preventive Immunization Calendar so that COVID vaccination could be mandatory for “vulnerable categories of citizens” whenever the country’s benevolent health authorities believe the “epidemiological” situation warrants another round of coercive injections.

Who is included in these “vulnerable categories of citizens”? Approximately half of Russia’s adult population, because if you aren’t already vaxxed to the max, you’re vulnerable.

https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/we-reserve-the-right-to-inject-you

Good news for Africa! Russia's Gamaleya Center is excited to deploy a new genetic clot-shot to ward off scary new COVID strains allegedly ravaging the African continent. And this updated injection will have all sorts of cool new features, TASS reported.

“According to Ginzburg, one of the main advantages of the updated vaccine is the ability to use it to vaccinate people of all age groups, including children and adolescents. ‘At the same time, we are developing an internasal vaccine for very young children, which has absolutely no side effects,’ he said.” 😐 [source: TASS]

I had a nice chat with Jesse Zurawell about the Bank of Russia's CBDC, which is just like every other CBDC—disgusting and gross.

The capital of Bashkortostan had the honor of hosting the 4th International Forum “Smart City - Smart Country”, a three-day orgy of technocracy that ended on Friday.

And yes, the conference was sponsored by Sberbank.

https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/nice-technocrats-promise-safe-and

A very friendly howdy-do to you. Welcome to Edward Slavsquat’s customary Weekend Link-Dump & Open Thread.

You have permission to shill your finest URLs. Or just say hello. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/at-least-we-have-each-other-3f7

The Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, held in St. Petersburg at the end of July, was by all accounts a smashing success.

Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko and Gamaleya Center Director Alexander Gintsburg were at the conference to take advantage of the free snacks and open bar, and also to champion closer clot-shot ties between Moscow and Africa.

https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/moscow-will-give-africa-more-unproven

Former DNR defense minister and (ex?) FSB officer Igor Strelkov is sitting in a Moscow prison cell as he awaits his September 18 trial.

But don’t expect any updates about the criminal case against him—because that’s classified information, buddy. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/what-are-strelkovs-alleged-crimes

The scam that keeps on giving 😍 [RG.ru]

An anonymous guy on the internet told me that the Bank of Russia wasn’t that bad, and I am satisfied with this. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/elvira-nabiullina-is-the-kindest

A joyous Sunday to you, internet friend. Welcome to Edward Slavsquat’s traditional Weekend Link-Dump & Open Thread.

The comments section is waiting for your URLs, etc. 🤝

https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/at-least-we-have-each-other-06e