WAPO: Putin's war on Ukraine is drawing battle lines within Russia

[lindysalsagal]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/01/russia-ukraine-putin/

By Robyn Dixon
Today at 4:21 p.m. EST

MOSCOW — When Russians showed shame and grief over President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, his most loyal propagandist was withering: “If you are now ashamed that you are Russian, don’t worry, you’re not Russian,” the editor in chief of state-owned broadcaster RT, Margarita Simonyan, sniped on Twitter.

The invasion that united NATO and Europe on sanctions as never before has also divided Russians. On one side: an outward-looking urban middle class who vacation in Europe and while away spend time scrolling through Western apps on their iPhones and send their children to universities abroad. On the other: Putin loyalists, many less-educated Russians or older people raised on Soviet propaganda.
The war’s seismic impact is just beginning to dawn on many Russians, deepening these fissures in society. State television hosts tell viewers that the sanctions prove the West hates Russians.
The ice-rink engineer Safonov said ordinary low-income Russians would be most hurt, but wealthy elites “will be fine as usual,” adding, “Maybe they will be a little shaken but not much, I’m sure.

“To Russia, it means we are going back into the caves,” he said. “I think it’s like the end, for Russia.”

[RAB910]

1. Putin loyalists, many less-educated Russians - Just like Trump's cult

[PortTack]

2. The irony is palpable! Putin starts out years years ago to divide the US citizenry

And in the end....karma’s a BITCH!!

[Irish_Dem]

3. Yes Putin deeply divided the US and caused chaos.

Now it comes back to him and Russia.

Karma's arrow is often swift and true.

[Cha]

4. KR & Bookmarked!