2 are the most evil group in fact, usually indirectly connected to the regime ; it's the kind of elite that was the basis for late 00s and early 10s fake opposition, intended to overshadow the remnants of the old opposition (which was basically the same people who protested in 1991 against Soviet actions in Caucasus and Baltics, against Chechen wars, against Yeltsin's second term). And yes, the loudest virtue-signalling figures of today's Russian opposition are from among them. Many of them still have relatives and friends among Russian elites.

3 are the kind of idiots they have everywhere, Russians of this group are similar to Serbians loving Russia or Americans thinking there's their traditionalist heaven in Russia, or tankies believing China is heaven on earth.

[–] andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

The population of the latter idiots should be in check tho. Countries closest to Russia has a hell of problem with their diasporas. It's dangerous to let them form a political power.

[–] rottingleaf@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Well, one example I like - Kaja Kallas, former PM of Estonia, is not considered a member of any Russian diaspora and is not such an idiot. She, however, has family ties with Anton Vaino, the head of AP in Russia, and she's becoming a member of EC. She already held enormous power while also being popular, and is going for even bigger power. BTW, Estonian armaments for Ukraine are rotten Soviet junk for which they get good compensations.

I'd say 90% of all the problems are the corrupt elites and not that kind of idiots. They can only do harm with their votes.

Countries closest to Russia has a hell of problem with their diasporas. It’s dangerous to let them form a political power.

This is frankly a scapegoat.

Countries half-assimilated into Russia had that problem. Belarus and Ukraine specifically. The former is a dictatorship and the latter doesn't have it anymore.

Vatnik voters in Baltic countries make exactly two notable effects - they vote for local weird social-democrats and sometimes make noise about Victory Day and Soviet Union. It's not dangerous.

What's dangerous is when a neighboring richer country invades you, but it can do that without an excuse. Again, see Azerbaijan in every year since 2020, and frankly including 2020 and 2016 - despite Western passive approval, they'd signed a fuckload of papers saying there won't be a military solution and self-determination is a principle.

[–] andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 months ago

I hear you.

My perspective is biased due to where I get it, and european vatniks are one of the most hated groups by those who try, fail or wish to immigrate. Thus, these posts get insane traction even if they are just weirdos and a minority. Maybe I'd unlearn it one day, spending less and less time on these sites.