Vaccination Crisis in Russia
Kremlin’s telegram major Nezygar:
“Only 10 mln shots of Sputnik V vaccine have been produced since the beginning of the year. This means that Russia is capable of producing 2 mln shots per month. The production of KoviVac could reach 1 mln shots per month. Even if Gemofarma is really capable of producing 5 mln shots of EpiVac monthly, we still have less than 100 mln shots a year overall.
At least 140 mln shots a year are necessary for an effective vaccination”.
These numbers mean that Russia is not capable of producing enough vaccine for its own needs. At the same time Kremlin is forcing people to get vaccinated.
That’s what we meant by possible vaccine shortages. It’s difficult to accuse Nezygar of Western propaganda. It is obvious even to them that Putin, Kremlin, Sobyanin and the whole Russian government are not only failing hard, but doing something outrageous.
Kremlin’s telegram major Nezygar:
“Only 10 mln shots of Sputnik V vaccine have been produced since the beginning of the year. This means that Russia is capable of producing 2 mln shots per month. The production of KoviVac could reach 1 mln shots per month. Even if Gemofarma is really capable of producing 5 mln shots of EpiVac monthly, we still have less than 100 mln shots a year overall.
At least 140 mln shots a year are necessary for an effective vaccination”.
These numbers mean that Russia is not capable of producing enough vaccine for its own needs. At the same time Kremlin is forcing people to get vaccinated.
That’s what we meant by possible vaccine shortages. It’s difficult to accuse Nezygar of Western propaganda. It is obvious even to them that Putin, Kremlin, Sobyanin and the whole Russian government are not only failing hard, but doing something outrageous.
Republic of Udmurtia in Russia has temporarily stopped its vaccination program because of the vaccine shortages.
Kremlin has to acknowledge that Russia needs foreign vaccines.
Thousands of boys and girls celebrated their high school graduation throughout the country yesterday. No anti-covid measures were taken, of course.
At the same time Kremlin promotes segregation and discrimination of unvaccinated people.
How is it possible to trust this government? Do these people even understand what are they doing?
Kremlin has to acknowledge that Russia needs foreign vaccines.
Thousands of boys and girls celebrated their high school graduation throughout the country yesterday. No anti-covid measures were taken, of course.
At the same time Kremlin promotes segregation and discrimination of unvaccinated people.
How is it possible to trust this government? Do these people even understand what are they doing?
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Moscow police is brutally dragging a woman who allegedly refused to wear a mask in public place. Great job, guys, but why haven't you dragged away people from the ruling United Russia party's assembly a week ago? Or from Chechen assembly a couple of days after?
Donbass Is Russia’s White Elephant
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that the US could be involved in the Donbass settlement.
For now the situation is in full compliance with this interest. Russia is indeed spending significant money financing Donbass and more importantly cannot reach any progress in Ukraine before the conflict is settled. It is a win-win situation for Washington, and Biden’s foreign team should take a full advantage of it.
Concerning Vladislav Surkov and his role in turning Donbass into a white elephant (English for “siutcase without a handle”) there is a correct point made. However it’s not fair to fully blame it on him.
He could be regarded as some kind of thinker in Russia, the fact that could only amuse American policy-makers in Ukraine. Surkov is not capable of conducting any fruitful strategy, but he is totally capable of using any conflict for making himself and his partners money.
That’s exactly what he did in Donbass through “Vneshtorgservis” and his criminal schemes with unrecognized South Ossetia and its current criminal leader. No big deal for a Russian high-ranked official.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that the US could be involved in the Donbass settlement.
For now the situation is in full compliance with this interest. Russia is indeed spending significant money financing Donbass and more importantly cannot reach any progress in Ukraine before the conflict is settled. It is a win-win situation for Washington, and Biden’s foreign team should take a full advantage of it.
Concerning Vladislav Surkov and his role in turning Donbass into a white elephant (English for “siutcase without a handle”) there is a correct point made. However it’s not fair to fully blame it on him.
He could be regarded as some kind of thinker in Russia, the fact that could only amuse American policy-makers in Ukraine. Surkov is not capable of conducting any fruitful strategy, but he is totally capable of using any conflict for making himself and his partners money.
That’s exactly what he did in Donbass through “Vneshtorgservis” and his criminal schemes with unrecognized South Ossetia and its current criminal leader. No big deal for a Russian high-ranked official.
Lavrov The Mothball
When Russians want to show that something is out of date, they say “it smells like naphthalene’’. There is no way to better describe the latest article of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about Russia’s relationship with the West.
Lavrov repeated the usual points usually made in a similar naphthalene articles of his boss Vladimir Putin. It looks that Kremlin’s oldmen not only disregard the reality, but do not have an appropriate language for describing it.
If Western sanctions are so unfair and Moscow claims that it doesn’t care, then why does Russia follow these sanctions concerning Belarus? Why do numerous Russian companies and institutions avoid working Crimea?
Russian elites have two narratives. One that is real and should be measured by their actions, the second is propaganda and lies which is fed to Russians on an every-day basis and is actually ruining their future.
When Russians want to show that something is out of date, they say “it smells like naphthalene’’. There is no way to better describe the latest article of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about Russia’s relationship with the West.
Lavrov repeated the usual points usually made in a similar naphthalene articles of his boss Vladimir Putin. It looks that Kremlin’s oldmen not only disregard the reality, but do not have an appropriate language for describing it.
If Western sanctions are so unfair and Moscow claims that it doesn’t care, then why does Russia follow these sanctions concerning Belarus? Why do numerous Russian companies and institutions avoid working Crimea?
Russian elites have two narratives. One that is real and should be measured by their actions, the second is propaganda and lies which is fed to Russians on an every-day basis and is actually ruining their future.
Mark N. Katz from the George Mason University also came up with an article comparing Vladimir Putin and Leonid Brezhnev.
Russian state propaganda often depicts Putin as a master of foreign policy. Katz argues that it’s nothing but a myth and Putin hasn’t been successful in his foreign affairs even comparing to Leonid Brezhnev whose long rule ended with a decision to deploy troops in Afghanistan.
We agree with Mark Katz. The myth of Putin being a foreign policy master is actually quite harmful as it has certain negative internal implications. The narrative is like “we have some internal problems, but look how successful we are elsewhere”.
The myth is used to justify the poverty of Russians and further abuse of their rights. In the past ten years under Putin Russia fell behind especially hard.
Russian state propaganda often depicts Putin as a master of foreign policy. Katz argues that it’s nothing but a myth and Putin hasn’t been successful in his foreign affairs even comparing to Leonid Brezhnev whose long rule ended with a decision to deploy troops in Afghanistan.
We agree with Mark Katz. The myth of Putin being a foreign policy master is actually quite harmful as it has certain negative internal implications. The narrative is like “we have some internal problems, but look how successful we are elsewhere”.
The myth is used to justify the poverty of Russians and further abuse of their rights. In the past ten years under Putin Russia fell behind especially hard.
Vladimir Putin will hold a “direct line” tomorrow. It is a Q&A show with the President.
It is known that about 80% of questions already sent concern the vaccination crisis in Russia. Putin will try to calm down Russians amidst the vaccination psychosis single handedly created by the government.
The President will surely fail. Vaccination is a referendum. The whole world has seen the real level of trust of Russians in their government. Putin himself contributed greatly to this distrust by getting vaccinated behind closed doors.
Nobody knows whether he actually received a shot. Nobody even knows was it a Russian vaccine or not. The sheer incompetence of Russian authorities and their ignorant attitude towards people make tomorrow’s show fruitless.
It is known that about 80% of questions already sent concern the vaccination crisis in Russia. Putin will try to calm down Russians amidst the vaccination psychosis single handedly created by the government.
The President will surely fail. Vaccination is a referendum. The whole world has seen the real level of trust of Russians in their government. Putin himself contributed greatly to this distrust by getting vaccinated behind closed doors.
Nobody knows whether he actually received a shot. Nobody even knows was it a Russian vaccine or not. The sheer incompetence of Russian authorities and their ignorant attitude towards people make tomorrow’s show fruitless.
We also have a couple of questions to Vladimir Putin.
First – does he still think that Kremlin tackled the vaccination issue better than the West?
Second – why Russia, being obviously incapable of producing enough vaccines for its own needs, doesn’t let foreign vaccines in?
Third – why is Kremlin openly discriminating people and encouraging social segregation?
First – does he still think that Kremlin tackled the vaccination issue better than the West?
Second – why Russia, being obviously incapable of producing enough vaccines for its own needs, doesn’t let foreign vaccines in?
Third – why is Kremlin openly discriminating people and encouraging social segregation?
Failed Delivery
Guatemala asked Russia to return money already paid for doses of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine after the Russian direct investment fund (RFPI) failed to deliver the vaccine.
$80 million were paid for a supply of 8 million doses of the vaccine. So far, only 150,000 of those were supplied. A spokesman for RFPI, which is responsible for marketing the vaccine abroad, said additional supplies of the vaccine would reach Guatemala soon.
„Failure“ is a word associated not only with Russian vaccination, but with the production and the deliveries of vaccines abroad as well. This is another case of Putin being either fooled by his inner circle or being delusional himself.
Sputnik V was supposed to be an instrument of Russian soft power, but someone forgot to tell Putin that Russia isn’t capable to produce enough of vaccine even for its own needs.
Guatemala asked Russia to return money already paid for doses of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine after the Russian direct investment fund (RFPI) failed to deliver the vaccine.
$80 million were paid for a supply of 8 million doses of the vaccine. So far, only 150,000 of those were supplied. A spokesman for RFPI, which is responsible for marketing the vaccine abroad, said additional supplies of the vaccine would reach Guatemala soon.
„Failure“ is a word associated not only with Russian vaccination, but with the production and the deliveries of vaccines abroad as well. This is another case of Putin being either fooled by his inner circle or being delusional himself.
Sputnik V was supposed to be an instrument of Russian soft power, but someone forgot to tell Putin that Russia isn’t capable to produce enough of vaccine even for its own needs.
Russian law enforcement agents searched the homes of three journalists of the investigative Proekt.Media the day after it announced the publication of its investigation into the unlawful enrichment of the family of Russia’s current Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev.
Of course, none of the corrupted high-ranked officials anywhere in the world want their corruption go public, but in this case the Interior Minister Kolokoltsev and his partners clearly overreacted.
In Europe or US corruption allegations could cause resignation from office. In Russia Kolokoltsev has nothing to worry about. His alleged unlawful enrichment along with ties with the high-ranked criminals from Izmailovsky Criminal Group are quite ordinary for Russian elites.
Wiping out all the independent media hasn’t done any good in any country, but in case of Russia the way Kremlin acts reminds some kind of paranoia. The neo-feudal order with filthy rich and extremely poor without any civil voice is being maintained with no regard to any decency.
Proekt.Media, stay strong.
Of course, none of the corrupted high-ranked officials anywhere in the world want their corruption go public, but in this case the Interior Minister Kolokoltsev and his partners clearly overreacted.
In Europe or US corruption allegations could cause resignation from office. In Russia Kolokoltsev has nothing to worry about. His alleged unlawful enrichment along with ties with the high-ranked criminals from Izmailovsky Criminal Group are quite ordinary for Russian elites.
Wiping out all the independent media hasn’t done any good in any country, but in case of Russia the way Kremlin acts reminds some kind of paranoia. The neo-feudal order with filthy rich and extremely poor without any civil voice is being maintained with no regard to any decency.
Proekt.Media, stay strong.
Putin Is Older Than Biden
Russian telegram is overall disappointed with Putin’s “direct line”, and rightfully so. The concept of the show is outdated, as well as the President himself.
Putin’s rhetoric and reactions show that he fell well behind the time and has no clear idea about the real state of affairs in Russia. President is living in a bubble. The charisma is gone.
Russian propaganda likes to make fun of Biden’s age and reactions. Putin was born 10 years later than Biden, but seems to be older than him.
Unfortunately, Putin also promised to write a new article, this time about Russians and Ukranians being one nation. Hopefully, someone in Kremlin will talk him out of it.
Russian telegram is overall disappointed with Putin’s “direct line”, and rightfully so. The concept of the show is outdated, as well as the President himself.
Putin’s rhetoric and reactions show that he fell well behind the time and has no clear idea about the real state of affairs in Russia. President is living in a bubble. The charisma is gone.
Russian propaganda likes to make fun of Biden’s age and reactions. Putin was born 10 years later than Biden, but seems to be older than him.
Unfortunately, Putin also promised to write a new article, this time about Russians and Ukranians being one nation. Hopefully, someone in Kremlin will talk him out of it.
Vaccine Shortages in Russia
Another Russian region stated the shortage of anti-Covid vaccine after Udmurtia. The healthcare minister of Komi Republic said today that Moscow doesn’t send enough vaccine to the region.
According to Igor Dyagilev, Komi has requested 70000 dozes of vaccine, but Moscow is failing to provide the region with this tiny quantity. It is being sent to Komi several thousands shots a time.
Dyagilev said that there is a harsh competition among the regions for vaccine. The problem is being solved as usual in Russia, via phone calls and personal contacts with Moscow officials.
Sverdlovsk oblast in Urals also cannot get enough vaccine. Meanwhile the Covid death toll in Russia is hitting record numbers for the fourth day in a row.
It is impossible to inoculate 60% of population by the end of the year, as Kremlin initially wanted, because Russia failed to produce enough vaccine. The US have vaccinated 170mln people so far, 30mln more than the whole population of Russia.
Another Russian region stated the shortage of anti-Covid vaccine after Udmurtia. The healthcare minister of Komi Republic said today that Moscow doesn’t send enough vaccine to the region.
According to Igor Dyagilev, Komi has requested 70000 dozes of vaccine, but Moscow is failing to provide the region with this tiny quantity. It is being sent to Komi several thousands shots a time.
Dyagilev said that there is a harsh competition among the regions for vaccine. The problem is being solved as usual in Russia, via phone calls and personal contacts with Moscow officials.
Sverdlovsk oblast in Urals also cannot get enough vaccine. Meanwhile the Covid death toll in Russia is hitting record numbers for the fourth day in a row.
It is impossible to inoculate 60% of population by the end of the year, as Kremlin initially wanted, because Russia failed to produce enough vaccine. The US have vaccinated 170mln people so far, 30mln more than the whole population of Russia.
Security of the Riches
Mark Galeotti called the newest edition of Russia’s National Security Strategy “paranoid”, but it is “kleptocratic” and pathetic as well.
The very essence of the document is to preserve the current Russian neo-feudalism with social inequality and privileges for the elite. It is not about the security of Russia, it is about the prosperity of oldmen in Kremlin, oligarchs and billionaires.
Russia obviously needs changes, but these people don’t. Nothing should change for Putin, Patrushev or Sechin. The goal of this strategy is not to preserve Russian people, but to preserve the immense capitals of Russian elites led by Putin. Which means further limiting of people's freedoms.
If America is building alliances, Russia aims to further isolate itself from the world for the benefit of its ruling feudals.
The strategy also shows the growing influence of China in Kremlin. Washington clearly sees it and will have to look out in order not to give Russia away to the Chinese.
Mark Galeotti called the newest edition of Russia’s National Security Strategy “paranoid”, but it is “kleptocratic” and pathetic as well.
The very essence of the document is to preserve the current Russian neo-feudalism with social inequality and privileges for the elite. It is not about the security of Russia, it is about the prosperity of oldmen in Kremlin, oligarchs and billionaires.
Russia obviously needs changes, but these people don’t. Nothing should change for Putin, Patrushev or Sechin. The goal of this strategy is not to preserve Russian people, but to preserve the immense capitals of Russian elites led by Putin. Which means further limiting of people's freedoms.
If America is building alliances, Russia aims to further isolate itself from the world for the benefit of its ruling feudals.
The strategy also shows the growing influence of China in Kremlin. Washington clearly sees it and will have to look out in order not to give Russia away to the Chinese.
A Joke
Another issue of Russian Security Strategy is the comical, everlasting Russian de-dollarization.
For sole propaganda reasons Kremlin depicts this eternal process as some kind of success and a move which inflicts pain on America or dollar as a global currency. Nothing could matter less for Washington and dollar.
Russia is no threat whatsoever because of its insignificant economy. Kremlin could even de-dollarize the capitals of its inhabitants and oligarchs, it still won’t make much difference.
Fair enough, moving away from dollar doesn’t mean strengthening of Russian economy, as Kremlin replaces dollars in its reserves with Euros and Chinese yuans. For political, not economic reasons Bank of Russia trusts in yuan far more than the rest of the world. This tendency is rightfully called “serf loyalty to Chinese masters” in this brilliant piece of writing.
Another issue of Russian Security Strategy is the comical, everlasting Russian de-dollarization.
For sole propaganda reasons Kremlin depicts this eternal process as some kind of success and a move which inflicts pain on America or dollar as a global currency. Nothing could matter less for Washington and dollar.
Russia is no threat whatsoever because of its insignificant economy. Kremlin could even de-dollarize the capitals of its inhabitants and oligarchs, it still won’t make much difference.
Fair enough, moving away from dollar doesn’t mean strengthening of Russian economy, as Kremlin replaces dollars in its reserves with Euros and Chinese yuans. For political, not economic reasons Bank of Russia trusts in yuan far more than the rest of the world. This tendency is rightfully called “serf loyalty to Chinese masters” in this brilliant piece of writing.
Kremlin vs Middle Class
Russian government needs additional 400bln roubles for its „strategic initiatives’’ and plans to get them out of oil and metal industries, as well as from the increase of excises. It is all good on paper, but we all know what the strategy of Kremlin really is: the rich is getting richer, the poor is getting poorer.
There is little doubt that Russian government will actually get this money out of the weak middle class. As we have pointed out, putinism is impossible without poverty. It doesn’t need middle class which will surely demand more democracy, more transparency and more political representation.
The differences between the approaches of Kremlin and Western governments to public administration were shown vividly by the pandemic. Putin and his team used Covid to transfer as much people as possible from the middle class to the poor and will keep doing it.
A couple of days earlier Russian parliament refused to adopt a new luxury tax. Russian billionaires have nothing to worry about.
Russian government needs additional 400bln roubles for its „strategic initiatives’’ and plans to get them out of oil and metal industries, as well as from the increase of excises. It is all good on paper, but we all know what the strategy of Kremlin really is: the rich is getting richer, the poor is getting poorer.
There is little doubt that Russian government will actually get this money out of the weak middle class. As we have pointed out, putinism is impossible without poverty. It doesn’t need middle class which will surely demand more democracy, more transparency and more political representation.
The differences between the approaches of Kremlin and Western governments to public administration were shown vividly by the pandemic. Putin and his team used Covid to transfer as much people as possible from the middle class to the poor and will keep doing it.
A couple of days earlier Russian parliament refused to adopt a new luxury tax. Russian billionaires have nothing to worry about.
Alexander Lukashenko has sentenced his political rival and former executive of Gazprom’s bank in Minsk Viktor Babariko to 14 years. Moreover, the Belarusian President threatened today to stop German export to Russia and China through Belarus.
Washington should be pleased with Lukashenko’s moves. He is an interesting ally of Russia who constantly humiliates Putin. Although USA have no direct interest in Belarus, unlike Russia or to a less degree Germany, move of Belarus to the West will be welcome.
People of Belarus want European life standards and institutions, and there is really nothing Russia could offer them.
Washington should be pleased with Lukashenko’s moves. He is an interesting ally of Russia who constantly humiliates Putin. Although USA have no direct interest in Belarus, unlike Russia or to a less degree Germany, move of Belarus to the West will be welcome.
People of Belarus want European life standards and institutions, and there is really nothing Russia could offer them.
Afghan Case
American retreat from Afghanistan drew a lot of criticism in the country, mostly from military lobby. Russian state media is going crazy about American “defeat” and “weakness”, but this might be the smartest thing Biden’s administration did in its foreign policy.
The region will surely become less safe with Taliban taking hold of Afghanistan, but America will be the ultimate winner even in case of the Afghan government’s collapse. Insecurity costs, Russia and China will be the ones to pay.
The US have achieved every long-term major goal set in Afghanistan. The withdrawal of troops isn’t a mistake or a folly as some of our retired generals assume. What do we have to lose?
The self-proclaimed foreign policy master Putin is already involved in intense talks with his ally in Tajikistan, but the whole region of weak or failed states is under pressure.
Russians could ridicule Americans for the weapons and other stuff we have left in Afghanistan, but it looks like Washington will have the last laugh.
American retreat from Afghanistan drew a lot of criticism in the country, mostly from military lobby. Russian state media is going crazy about American “defeat” and “weakness”, but this might be the smartest thing Biden’s administration did in its foreign policy.
The region will surely become less safe with Taliban taking hold of Afghanistan, but America will be the ultimate winner even in case of the Afghan government’s collapse. Insecurity costs, Russia and China will be the ones to pay.
The US have achieved every long-term major goal set in Afghanistan. The withdrawal of troops isn’t a mistake or a folly as some of our retired generals assume. What do we have to lose?
The self-proclaimed foreign policy master Putin is already involved in intense talks with his ally in Tajikistan, but the whole region of weak or failed states is under pressure.
Russians could ridicule Americans for the weapons and other stuff we have left in Afghanistan, but it looks like Washington will have the last laugh.
Russian Vaccination Crisis
Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin has suddenly set a goal of 80% vaccination rate in the country. The sheer incompetence of Russian government has become obvious throughout the vaccination campaign, but they could at least agree on the numbers.
Peskov was talking about 60% vaccination rate, then changed his mind and said it was hardly possible, now Mishustin is looking for 80%. No wonder Russians are still reluctant to get a shot although the government has started a mandatory vaccination campaign in the country.
Employees of various public institutions – policemen, academics, teachers etc – are forced to be vaccinated, but still manage to resist. According to our Russian insiders, vaccination rate is extremely low among medics themselves.
Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin has suddenly set a goal of 80% vaccination rate in the country. The sheer incompetence of Russian government has become obvious throughout the vaccination campaign, but they could at least agree on the numbers.
Peskov was talking about 60% vaccination rate, then changed his mind and said it was hardly possible, now Mishustin is looking for 80%. No wonder Russians are still reluctant to get a shot although the government has started a mandatory vaccination campaign in the country.
Employees of various public institutions – policemen, academics, teachers etc – are forced to be vaccinated, but still manage to resist. According to our Russian insiders, vaccination rate is extremely low among medics themselves.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today that withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan is a recognition of American failure in Afghanistan.
Lavrov hasn’t ever enjoyed a reputation of skillful diplomat, at least in Washington. Now his career came to a point when it is impossible to take him serious. Lavrov is leading the list of Putin’s United Russia party in the coming parliamentary election, so he is more about propaganda than foreign relations.
He was never instrumental or influential in Russian foreign policy. These remarks about withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan indicate his inability or unwillingness to stay in touch with reality.
It is another game which is beyond Lavrov's abilities. Compare him with Jake Sullivan. Anyway, he did enough for a high-ranked position in Russian parliament. Lavrov will fit very well with sportsmen and actors.
Lavrov hasn’t ever enjoyed a reputation of skillful diplomat, at least in Washington. Now his career came to a point when it is impossible to take him serious. Lavrov is leading the list of Putin’s United Russia party in the coming parliamentary election, so he is more about propaganda than foreign relations.
He was never instrumental or influential in Russian foreign policy. These remarks about withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan indicate his inability or unwillingness to stay in touch with reality.
It is another game which is beyond Lavrov's abilities. Compare him with Jake Sullivan. Anyway, he did enough for a high-ranked position in Russian parliament. Lavrov will fit very well with sportsmen and actors.
Taliban delegation is in Moscow (although Taliban is designated by Russia as a terrorist movement), Tajikistan requested Russian help. That’s how, according to Russian state media and Sergei Lavrov, American defeat looks like. And it hasn’t even started yet.