March 24, 2:33 p.m
![Image](https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/colonelcassad/19281164/4519761/4519761_900.jpg)
Tears of terrorists.
When apprehended, cold-blooded killers hide in trees, cry, and scream. There is genuine horror in their eyes. Looking at them in this state, you wonder how this nonentity could shoot point-blank at children, defenseless people, a few hours ago?
Let us explain, there are two aspects.
1. First, the effect of prohibited drugs, the presence of which is not even discussed, has expired. Under the influence of doping, there is a strong release of hormones into the blood, i.e. all the body's reserves are consumed at a wild speed, including adrenaline. Such stress takes its toll on the body: the video shows one of the detainees shaking during interrogation.
2. The second is a nervous breakdown. For a long time, the terrorist is in a daily state of deep stress, suppresses his emotions and constantly experiences anxiety. At the moment of arrest, banal hysteria occurs. Its effect is enhanced by the “coming off” from the drugs and the mental pressure of the security forces.
It is important that such behavior is typical in a situation where the actions of terrorists do not have a deep ideological basis. As is the case with the action films in Crocus, where the only motivation is money. Already at the moment of escape, the criminals realized what they had done and, because The terrorist attack was not supported by ideology; the militants were overcome by animal fear for their own lives. Therefore, during interrogation, they are ready to tell everything, cry, etc., just to stay alive.
But judging by the video, they knew how to handle weapons, although some of them shot wildly, there was the use of edged weapons, but they did not have radio communication; they kept each other at arm's length, and worked according to plan.
@rusich_army - zinc
https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/9046174.html
Poll about the death penalty
March 24, 8:57 am
![Image](https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/colonelcassad/19281164/4519670/4519670_900.png)
Interesting results of the survey https://t.me/boris_rozhin/117637 about the restoration of the death penalty for terrorism. 84% completely or with reservations in favor with approximately 150,000 voters. Of course, we can say that the sample on my channel is not relevant, but similar results were obtained on many other channels.
https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/9045606.html
Google Translator
******
Update on the ‘Crocus City Hall’ massacre
March 23, 2024
Finally a substantial feed of information on the massacre is being released to the public by Russian official news channels including RT. Moreover at 15.00 Moscow time, President Putin delivered a televised address to the nation on this tragedy. In what follows I will provide relevant facts and my own commentary.
First, as was expected, the death toll has risen sharply from first news last night. It now stands at 140 and may go still higher. Most of the victims apparently died from gunshot wounds. Some died from asphyxiation linked to smoke from the fire on the premises which the attackers lit with incendiary devices. The event under attack was a rock concert that was about to begin and many of those killed were children and adolescents, a fact which, rightly or wrongly, Russians consider particularly heinous.
We know that 11 of those responsible were apprehended, including the four who committed the murders in the auditorium. They were caught in a forest of the Bryansk province, following a car chase and exchange of gunfire with law enforcement officers when they tried to evade a roadside control. They were driving their Renault car in the direction of the Ukrainian border.
We are told that several at least are citizens of the Central Asian republic of Tajikistan, although Tajik authorities deny that their people were involved. Representatives of the Islamic State terrorist organization have claimed responsibility, although that by itself says nothing about ultimate directions from Ukraine.
One of the terrorists revealed under police interrogation that they were paid 500,000 rubles for the attack, amounting to a paltry $5,000. Another 500,000 was to be paid later, following the attack, but it is safe to assume that the paymasters never expected that half to be paid out.
Vladimir Putin’s address to the nation was calm and non-accusatory with respect to the puppet masters behind the atrocity, though he did drop a couple of hints as to who they are, which I will mention in a minute.
For those who want to listen to his 5 minute speech, here is the link:
https://smotrim.ru/article/3867162?utm_ ... ain2-news6
The title of this news item gives you the first hint – “Putin: there is information about the preparation of an escape window for the murderers on the Ukrainian side”
Otherwise, Putin’s opening words were of comfort to the bereaved and relatives of those wounded. We know from other sources that the Moscow and Moscow regional authorities have announced compensation to be paid to all victims and their relatives.
Putin put the attack in the context of global terrorism and did not specifically name anyone. He said that what was planned was a mass murder, a kind of ‘demonstrative execution’ such as were committed by the Nazis under Hitler. We may call this hint number two in the direction of Ukraine.
Tomorrow has been declared a national day of mourning in Russia. The Culture Ministry has cancelled all events involving large gatherings of people and cities across Russia have declared heightened security measures. Indeed the situation at the Crocus City Hall was exceedingly lax: there were no armed guards. The security people had only wooden clubs, not firearms, and they apparently were in their quarters when they were tracked down by the assailants and murdered first before they proceeded to the auditorium.
Let there be no confusion here: the tragedy yesterday is a turning point in the war. I remain persuaded that it was an American sanctioned or directed provocation intended to elicit the violent response that I mentioned in my last essay – a Russian strike on Kiev with intent to decapitate the Zelensky regime.
©Gilbert Doctorow, 2024
https://gilbertdoctorow.com/2024/03/23/ ... -massacre/
*******
(Note that 'The Bell' quoted below is a Russian liberal opposition publication who lifted it's title from a 19th century Russian socialist paper, as did we, see our front page. This piece nonetheless has some good information.)
THE BELL: MOSCOW CONCERT HALL ATTACK: WHAT WE KNOW BY NOW
MARCH 23, 2024 NATYLIESB LEAVE A COMMENT
Read Putin’s address to the citizens of Russia on the terrorist attack here. http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/73703
The Bell, 3/23/24
The biggest terrorist attack in Moscow for 20 years
A group of armed people killed at least 115 people Friday in an attack on a shopping and entertainment center in Moscow – the most deadly terrorist incident in the Russian capital in two decades. Amid the war in Ukraine, Russia’s response is very difficult to predict. [Note: Both Euronews and RT a the time of this posting are reporting 133 dead. – Natylie]
The attack began about 8 p.m. in Crocus City Hall, which includes one of Moscow’s biggest concert halls (seating about 6,200 people). Five well-armed people in camouflage entered the hall just before the start of a sold-out performance, shooting the security guards, and then those present in the room. According to officials, at least 150 people were killed and hundreds more injured. A large fire began at about this time, as a result of which part of the roof of the hall collapsed.
Initially, there were reports that the attackers had remained in the building, but, at about midnight, the police announced they had begun a search for the culprits. On Saturday, the Federal Security Service (FSB) said that the four terrorists were detained in th western Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine. Russian state media posted videos of their interrogations; one of the attackers said that he was offered to carry out the shooting by a “preacher’s assistant” on messaging app Telegram, and was promised 1 million rubles ($11,000) as a reward.
All the recent developments (especially the fact that the shooters were offered a money reward) and the tone of the propaganda, suggests that the Russian official version will inevitably focus on blaming Ukraine.
The political backdrop is extremely concerning. President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday for the first time that Russia is waging a “war” in Ukraine – not a “special military operation,” which has been the preferred official term for more than two years, And the day before, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced plans to establish three new armies – sparking speculation about another round of mobilization to raise the soldiers to man them.
Why the world should care
Such a brazen attack in the heart of Moscow could potentially be used by the Kremlin to justify another escalation in Ukraine, or another wave of mobilization. However, Russian officials stopped short of blaming Ukraine on Friday evening. We will look at the attack and its fallout in more detail in our following newsletters.
Wartime economics puts money in pockets of Russia’s poor
Predictably, Western nations were dismissive of the “election” that saw Vladimir Putin voted in for a fifth presidential term. Of course, the election was neither free, nor fair. However, that does not mean it was meaningless. The words once credited to U.S. political strategist James Carville also apply here: “It’s the economy, stupid.”
Even if the votes had been counted accurately, it’s more than possible that the economy would have powered Putin to victory. After all, most Russians have never lived as well as they do now. Nor do people believe that things are about to get worse. This is particularly notable in Russia’s regions, far from the hipsters of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
An economy that is growing because of the needs of the military and rising government spending has ensured wages outstripping inflation.
![Image](https://en.thebell.io/content/images/2024/03/1-eng.png)
After the start of the war, inflation rocketed – but wages more than kept pace. Central Bank head Elvira Nabiullina said Friday that the economy’s “production capacity and labor reserves are almost totally committed.” In other words, there is no way of boosting production and the labor shortage is ongoing. That means salaries will continue to rise. Same the inflation.
The fact that Russians are living better is evident from their outgoings. Spending at cafes and restaurants, for example, is increasing.
![Image](https://en.thebell.io/content/images/2024/03/3-eng.png)
Demand for non-food goods (i.e. items where purchases can be postponed or even canceled) has recovered from its slump in the months after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Its rate of growth now exceeds both inflation, and wage increases.
![Image](https://en.thebell.io/content/images/2024/03/2-eng.png)
This does not look like the sort of panic buying that happens in a crisis, when many rush out to buy whatever consumer durables they can afford. Instead, Russians appear to have sufficient confidence in their finances to take out personal loans. Consumer confidence is approaching record levels, Nabiullina told reporters on Friday.
![Image](https://en.thebell.io/content/images/2024/03/4-eng.png)
Of course, increased prosperity is not universal. But those who have lost out are the more wealthy Russians. The average income of the richest 10% in Russian society has increased by 27% since the start of the war. While this may seem a lot, it’s the lowest rise of all 10 income groups, and barely matches the combined inflation rate for the past two years. Incomes for the poorest in society have grown much faster.
![Image](https://en.thebell.io/content/images/2024/03/5-eng.png)
“A large-scale redistribution of resources in favor of the less well-off has prompted a widespread shift in perceptions of justice for the first time since 1990,” Denis Volkov, director of independent pollster Levada Center, wrote in an article last month. According to Levada, the proportion of Russians who feel that the distribution of material wealth in Russia is getting more unfair fell from 45% in 2021 to 25% in November 2023.
Why the world should care
The war has caused disproportionate economic suffering for a small minority of privileged Russians living in big cities, working for international companies (or companies integrated into global networks) and regarding themselves as “citizens of the world.” The Kremlin has apparently given up on this group. Now, Russian citizens who once regarded themselves as forgotten and overlooked are ready to take their place. Both the war, and the Kremlin’s economic policies, resonate in the hearts and wallets of these people.
Putin Prepares For China Visit as Russia’s Dependence Grows
Putin’s first foreign visit after his upcoming inauguration could be to China. The Russian president could head eastward as soon as May, Reuters reported Tuesday. The increasing regularity of meetings between Putin and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, is testament to the rapidly deepening ties between the two countries.
Putin and Xi met twice last year. In March, the Chinese leader came to Moscow. Then, in October, Putin made a visit to Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum. The Russian leader’s next trip would likely be a mirror of Xi Jinping’s Moscow visit.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s relationship with China has begun to look a lot like dependence. Western sanctions are pushing Moscow into Beijing’s embrace, with Sino-Russian trade last year topping $240 billion (China delivered 38% of Russia’s imports, and received 31% of Russian exports). Beijing now holds a monopoly in a range of goods (and, as a result, can charge Russia more than other countries).There was a 594% increase in imports of Chinese cars to Russia in 2023, and an almost 600% increase in imports of Chinese tractors.
China is not just Russia’s leading trade partner. It also plays a key role in helping settle accounts with third countries. In just two years, the yuan has become the most important currency for Russian business. In December, 35.8% of Russian exports and 37% of imports were paid for in yuan. That’s more than the ruble (35.7% and 31.5% respectively). The amount of yuan held in Russian business and personal accounts last year even outstripped the U.S. dollar ($68.7 billion vs $64.7 billion). And lending to companies in yuan was up 3.6 times to $36.1 billion in 2023, primarily due to the conversion of debts once held in U.S. dollars and euros.
Some media outlets speculated that one of Putin’s reasons for visiting China was to solve the problems some Russian financial institutions had with Chinese banks last year. The issues seemed to arise after U.S. President Joe Biden passed a decree tightening the penalties on third parties helping Russia evade Western sanctions. However, this speculation is probably little more than speculation. It’s true that correspondent banks in China began curtailing relationships with their Russian counterparts after the U.S. decree, and businesses complained of problems. But this did not halt financial transactions. “In general, payments were made and continue to be made,” a source from a Russian export company told The Bell. “It’s just that first-tier banks are being replaced by second and third-tier organizations.”
The average time to verify funds received from Russia in China is now 18 days, according to the “Business Practice in China” Telegram channel. In other words, payment chains are adapting to new realities. “Before, the relationship was: client – Russian bank – foreign bank – client. Now, there are three or five more banks in the chain. But everything still works,” added The Bell’s source.
https://natyliesbaldwin.com/2024/03/the ... ow-by-now/
(The 'best economy since the 90s perhaps, though for the working class the 60s and 70s were a very good time, what they might have lacked in cash-in-hand was more than compensated by the amenities provided by the social system, As for the wealthy, tough shit.
Russian nationalists may be suspicious of China but not so much the true internationalists...)
*******
Who Would Ever Doubt It.
As was expected: the cover of ISIS, in reality MI6-GUR terrorism is written all over it. All for the money, which excludes any ISIS connection. And, of course, they have contacts in 404 and have been running to their "window" to 404 side.
After carrying out the attack on Friday night, “the perpetrators tried to escape by car, fleeing towards the Russian-Ukrainian border,” the FSB said on Saturday. “The criminals intended to cross the Russia-Ukraine border and had relevant contacts on the Ukrainian side,” it added. According to the agency, “all four terrorists” were arrested in Russia’s Bryansk Region within several hours as a result of well-coordinated actions by the security services and the police. The detainees are now being transferred to Moscow, it added. The attack on Crocus Crocus City Hall was “carefully planned,” with the perpetrators using weapons that had been placed in a stash in advance, the FSB said.
Everything one needs to know. Mourn victims, give kudos to FSB and MVD. Now, finally, State Duma WILL legislate death penalty (in Russian). Even Macron expressed... condolences to Russian people--what do ya know. US did too. London "decisively condemned" the terrorist act? Really!? Surreal. Was the US involved in any way? At this stage it doesn't matter--Kiev Nazi terrorist regime is a creature of the United States and that says it all.
http://smoothiex12.blogspot.com/2024/03 ... bt-it.html