Strelkov press conference translated and subtitled

Wow.

Saker, we’re all waiting on you here to not only parse his words and place them in context, but help us distinguish all the cross-currents of oligarchs and Empire shills whom he appears to be claiming impacted Putin’s decision-making. Mr. Nora is also curious as to what specific activities he may now undertake, but once again I guess we’ve got to sit back and (sigh) just let things unfold.

Still, again, wow. Just plain wow. Can’t wait for your analysis!

@Nora:Can’t wait for your analysis!

Sorry Nora, I really need to take the afternoon off and spend some time in “meatspace”. I will try tomorrow morning.

Sorry and kind regards,

The Saker

That’s a WOW from me too.

I think he is spot-on about the Anglo-US ZOG intent to destroy Russia. They will not back off either – no matter set-backs or faux agreements. Unless and until Russia submits, it will face the relentless traitorous pressure Strelkov so starkly describes.

Frankly I will not attempt to call this. Despite the utter bankruptcy of the West, both moral and financial, the Russian elites remain deeply divided.

God help Novorossia is the best I can come up with.

Strelkov is the real deal. The neo-liberal sellouts around Putin need to be summarily executed. To have taken this person from the front lines of the fight was a betrayal of the highest order.

Wow. Such clear talk and thinking are so unusual and strange in the USA, that it was like being slapped.
What a great man, patriot, and leader.
In Godspeed, Strelkov!

Pleased to hear Saker is taking time for family and self or whatever needs doing!

Maybe let shooter’s words, and thoughts on them digest some as well.

Hate the expression “meatspace” though. I doubt it sounds any better in Russian.

Auslander,

What. You. Said. in quadruplicate!

The real battle lines are the same in Russia as in Ukraine as in Europe as in here: We The People vs. those who see us simply as resources (if they see us at all).

And yeah, the love of money is truly the root of all Evil.

a comedy interlude…

with the independance yes vote in scotland getting into first place earlier this week
panic ensued at westminster and today they sent up 100 labour MPs
(at taxpayer expense) to Glasgow to tell us naughty Scots to stop being silly and get back in line..

luckily the rebel alliance had a welcome up their sleeve and dispached a tricycle two men and a loudhailer to welcome them

enjoy…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiMXuEmqAHA

At some point it would be great to get a hold of a transcript of this speech. Important for those of us who don’t understand Russian, especially given how fast he seems to be reading.

The content of the speech sounds very powerful. I am wondering about the delivery. It seems like he is trying to read it off as quickly as he can, almost as if he were trying to get ir over with as soon as possible. Sounds to me like a mechanical delivery. Perhaps I am misinterpreting this, given I don’t understand Russian, but if I am right, this man should do well to change his speech delivery to a more engaged demeanor and a more serene pace.

Dear Balazs from Hungary, I totally agree with you.

Another thing that Strelkov looks like one of the few to understand is that it’s ABSOLUTELY VITAL, for Russia AND Novorossija, to preserve and protect Putin, from everything and everybody, Putin included.

No alternative is conceivable, not even the thought should be contemplated.
Whoever speaks of treason regarding Putin is the traitor, kissing and hailing Russia, the Judas’ way…..

On behalf of non-Russian speakers I would especially like to thank those who translated and subtitled this press conference. I will watch it several times in order to pick up some of the nuances, and not knowing Russian politics at all, I could still see several of the themes Saker has been emphasizing being alluded to here.

I am particularly interested in what the meaning may be for Strelkov’s statement that he can best be of help both for Russia and Ukraine in Russia. I remember the vast numbers of refugees, among them young military men, and wonder if his obvious charisma would best serve both in some capacity there.

He seems a very likable person and certainly would have become a target where he was, though I am also sure that wasn’t why he resigned. To my mind even with his undisputed bravery, his modesty is a perfect example of the lowkey approach that has been so beneficial to Putin so far.

Neither one of these men is happy with the carnage that has been brought about by the attack of the oligarchs, and as we discover they have even been attacking in Russia, to the extent that something of the nature of the so-called cease fire had to be somehow blunted in its effect.

My best wish is that both can attract individuals of a like caliber and train them for the tasks ahead. They already know that one nation to rule the world is a terrible proposition to contemplate. I am sure they know each of them that they need a team they can count on in future for this to be a success. I don’t just mean troop training; I mean leadership training.

[As a side wish, I would love it if along with these marvellous translated press conferences we could see something of what the Russian people do see as news programs- it was mentioned in the Crosstalk that Russians are very well informed about western media discussions and comment on them.

Wouldn’t it be nice if that happened in reverse also? We westerners are really flying blind, and that is why we don’t understand about the fifth column in Russia – there’s no discussion of it anywhere, since the mainstream here is perfectly happy with it.

Clearly he sees his new ‘mission’ as focused on house-cleaning the political space between himself and the president Putin. One must assume he has permission for this.

Basically, he believes the current defensive line is between Russia and the West and no early peace or solution in offering.

In part he seems to represent a 3rd military voice/perspective between the forces of government and the Mob bosses. It appears unclear (even to himself) which way this 3-way dynamic will move.

This is a common symptom of a global dynamic at present — i.e., Mussolini’s “cigarette paper” between business and government (fascism).

First many thanks for all the efforts to make this PC available – invaluable.

1st there is no doubt that there is a 5th Column, and I think one well placed within the Russian state and civil society.

However, the Ukraine has been for the west a means to attack Russia with the aim of overturning and dividing it. The ceasefire, I believe, was a necessity and I have no doubt the Novorussians will pay for it now and at the point when NATO orders a resumption of the offensive.

Strelkov’s voice is genuine and to this point. Though I find it odd to be in agreement with him as I share little else of his world view — that is also important when observations so closely coincide despite differences and even despite the fact I write from the most isolated capital in the world (Perth Australia) and have never heard an angry shot.

Distance is sometimes also an aid. This month the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meets as Russia is being punished for imposing a ceasefire, China is under threat by an increasing bellicose Japan-US, and a blind dog can see who brought down the MH17 and that the west is an accessory after the fact, and before even to the fact.

Meanwhile a proxy war where US trained and equipped ISIS becomes an excuse to fly over and no doubt attack Syria is an attempt to unravel Russia’s previous peace initiate.

So it all boils down not to Sanctions against Russia or sanctions by Russia; not the Ukraine, or Syria, but whether this is the moment when the USD is toppled and that dreadful empire dissolved.

China’s assets in Africa are under attack, the Japanese 5th Column (otherwise known as the Abe government) are this December about to sign a US treaty that will overturn the Japanese constitution expand the military, rearm Japan, and supply it with nuclear weapons.

December, not very far away. The sanctions against Europe centre piece in the new sitting of the EU parliament. China just this year invested $600 billion I suggest significantly reducing its USD reserves.

Japan is now the largest holder of US debt, just as the alliance is directly threatening China.

The SCO conference may see significant new membership (I hope) this same month. Between now and December a solution may be implemented and the world may actually enjoy a peaceful Christmas.

Allow me to caution everyone that what I am going to say is very negative. I sincerely hope I am wrong.
(1) Strelkov has said some profoundly important things, one of which is that Russia has a serious 5th column problem. I have always felt that Putin’s handling of this entire Ukrainian affair has been from a position of weakness. Given the weak hand he is holding, his play may have been the best strategy, but weakness is weakness.
(2) EU has now announced yet another round of sanctions (the Sept 12th round). It is all very well and easy to write off the EU as vassals, or as cowards, or simply as fools leading the foolish. However, the EU’s behaviour is best understood as the typical behaviour of predatory packs, like hyenas. The EU, with Germany in the lead, set up the predatory close-in on Yugoslavia; and it is Germany once again that led the EU to the juicy prey in Ukraine. It is almost as if Germany does the stalking of prey, alerts the US when a juicy kill seems possible, and then waits in the wings for the lion to do the kill. Sanction after sanction is economic warfare, and it emanates from EU. Let us not absolve Germany and EU.
(3) If so many EU countries are closing in for the kill, does it not foretell danger? US, the lion, followed by a pack of German and other EU hyenas.
(4) Of course, Putin understands what is going on. The reason behind his immense restraint is not only some clever chess gambit but also a fundamental Russian weakness. Had he been holding a stronger set of cards, his moves would have been bolder and even more dazzling.
(5) I therefore have a great fear of greater troubles and violence ahead. The NATO campaign “Break-up Russia” has just begun. Ukraine was the opening salvo.
(6)I desperately hope I am wrong on all the above 5 points.
God be with Russia, with Putin, and with the people of Russia and Novorussia.

For those interested in getting the closed captions or srt of videos, there is a very good app for that, I used it to get the full transcript of this one, here goes:

4K Video Downloader

https://www.4kdownload.com/products/product-videodownloader

To the saker: re hidden agendas

Putin has been really clear that he wanted Ukraine to be united and that he wanted the cultural and language rights of Russians protected.

The Ukrainian government seems obsessed with the idea of eliminating Russian language culture and people in the Ukraine.

So is there a chance that Putin has gone with the cease-fire as a way of identifying those around him in the Moscow circles that are in favor of such a solution – knowing that they would have the same disregard for Russians in Russia?

Is this Putin’s way of identifying who needs to be cleared out of his house in Moscow, so that he can take more direct action in Ukraine without getting stabbed in the back?

your thoughts?

A very nice press conference which demonstrates once again the immense value of this person especially regarding his human sensibility and his “political background”.

Only one thing of his reasoning wasn’t perfectly clear to me, Strelkov seems to equate in a bad light (the so called 5th columnists act just to speak) the October revolution in 1917 againts the decadent/classist Tsarism’s empire with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991
.. well .. one of the two; if the October Revolution was a 5th columnists game (which was not) then why he
regrets about his fall in 1991 ?
I feel that these words are a sign of admiration of “national power” as such rather than a serious attemps of research for
a particular new political system, attempt that today would be extremely important, not only for Novorossia but for the whole world ..

(Samo79 From Italy)

Part 1 of 3
Q&A session after Briefing by Igor Strelkov, September 11, 2014:

I have downloaded the text from the video closed captions. But since there is a proper translation at the link below, I will just paste in here the question and answer session that occurred after the speech.

We Will Not Allow for Russia to be Ripped Asunder and Ruined

– Andery Afanasyev: Now the… to avoid the chaos, I ask you to raise your hand first please and we’ll answer questions one at a time. Everyone will have possibility to ask one question at a time? One question if possible, without additional questions and such stuff like “I have two questions…” lets avoid it today. Let us start with you.

– Igor Ivanovich, Andrey Afanasyev, “Tsargrad” channel: What is your message to Russian people of Ukraine of Novorossia, of Russia? What have we do now, to save the country? Each person particularly?

– Strelkov: This is a very difficult question. Basically in some time, I, with my comrades, will offer certain solutions, certain actions, in which people will be able to participate as well as… various public organizations, that would be aimed exactly to help Novorossia to help defending Russia.

For now I can only say that one has to strictly refrain from any opposition activities, of any *destructive* opposition activities and realize that the war is waged against us, and in conditions of war, any revolt in the rears is only helping the enemy.

-Alexandr Yulishin, “Komsomolskaya Pravda”: Igor Ivanovich please tell, do your words “My place is here in Russia” if I got it correctly, mean that you won’t return to any command post, in Novorossia, in Donbass, Luhansk, maybe other place…

– Strelkov: If… If it will be required, if I will be mobilized, and sent to any region, I am ready to follow any order. However at the moment, I don’t consider such possibility.

– Alexandr Lugunov, “Novorossia” media agency: Igor Ivanovich, are you planning to engage in political activities here, in Russia, for example run for president or something?

– Strelkov: No, I am not. Generally I don’t believe in the elections per se. Look who has been elected in Ukraine? [ed. I see no way to translate it more precise, literally he says something like “who have we elected in Ukraine”, like from position of Ukrainian local who didn’t vote himself, but talks about his country in general, but in English this “we have elected” has also another meaning so confuses]

– Maxim Surupov, RBC: Tell us, you’ve told about radical change in combat activities, confirm or refute statement of Ukrainian side that this change was caused by intervention of Russian battalion tactical group

– Strelkov: In the middle of August, when I left Novorossia there weren’t any Russian troops on the territory [of Novorossia]. I won’t deny that there are volunteers who are soldiers of Russian army. I had several officers in my brigade, who arrived completely voluntarily during their vacation, not sent by their command to defend Novorossia, fight in our units. That’s all I can tell you. Naturally I, more or less, know what’s happening there now, but I don’t have any info about direct intervention of Russian troops.

Part 2 of 3
Q&A session after Briefing by Igor Strelkov, September 11, 2014:

– Natalia // can’t make it out further, too quiet, obviously introducing herself //: I’d like to know, we have ceasefire declared now, what’s your opinion: why the ceasefire is not profitable for so called party of war (Tymoshenko, Lyahshko, Kolomoyskiy), why they need to continue the war?

– Strelkov: Well, in fact it’s extremely hard to call this a “ceasefire”, since according to my info on average, every 2-3 hours artillery duels are done at the front lines and usually it’s the Ukrainian side who starts them. Even more, using the “ceasefire” enemy has captured list of settlements he was forced to abandon before and fortifies positions there. They have taken back their troops from so-called “cauldrons” [ed. strategic-level encirclement]. They’re digging in Debaltsevo according to my info, they’re preparing 3 (but most likely 4) strike groups which are intended to be used for offensive.

So… Ceasefire is considered by UA side solely as opportunity to replenish forces, changing vehicles using the reserves and preparations for the attack. So to expect any peace in such situation…that ceasefire will result in some positive consequences is simply naive.

– RenTV: question about “Boeing”, Why the shot down “Boeing” is often connected with militias in media, what does it mean? Who shot down the “Boeing”?

– Strelkov: Downed “Boeing” is connected to the militias only because it fell on the territory which was *partly* controlled by the militias at that time. Frankly speaking, I don’t know who shot down the “Boeing”, as I was busy commanding the troops. I simply had no time to conduct investigations.

Concerning my personal view on this situation; “Boeing” was hit by the Ukrainian side and it organized it beforehand, as an enormous provocation. All facts point on that it was guided to that point on purpose and Ukrainian side has created all the conditions to shoot it down, and when they saw that they’re not able to do something they wanted — they shot it down.

Otherwise all international media would be “bullying” us at their full capacity.

– Igor Ivanovich, Sergei Davidenko “Lifenews” [ed. not sure about the Surname, sorry too quiet]: Do you regret, that you left Slavyansk, that you are now in Russia, what’s your opinion – about what’s happening now in Donetsk People’s Republic, I mean from the commander point of view?

– Strelkov: From the commander point of view, I’d like to say that in those conditions militias have to fight, command acts quite adequate. Besides that, one must not forget that militias are fighting being still outnumbered relatively to the Ukrainian forces. However naturally number and armament of militias has improved but…enemy’s advantage in number of manpower and armament still remains rather great. I won’t be criticizing the militia in any way, especially after the success they achieved.

– Question: Such phrase was told that…It’s impossible to imagine more humiliating agreements than the ones signed in Minsk. Do you think that there’s any point in continuing these negotiations, especially – when Litvinov yesterday has stated that parts of this protocol signed in Minsk can’t be fulfilled at the point?

– Strelkov: I emphasize this: Agreement achieved in Minsk is ceasefire and temporarily truce. I called humiliating the conditions, concerning further ‘peaceful solution’ which was offered by the Ukrainian side, and which *somehow* appeared acceptable for discussion at all. My opinion is conditions like that can’t be possibly discussed at all, as they lead only to humiliating defeat, complete destruction of Novorossia in fact, as well as all other consequences I’ve listed in my message that is colossal harm and political crisis inside Russia itself.

Paul II,

You know, I’d seen that by him before but I think I needed that refresher course! Thank you.

JC,

I just started it and I want you to know that very first quote, from the Declaration of Independence no less, Nailed. It. re: us, right now.

Thank you, I’m hooked; shall report back to you later. ;~)

Greg Schofield,

Japan is now the largest holder of US debt??? Are you serious? When did that happen? The SCO is meeting right now, I believe but if China’s now out-from-under our debt shadow but still does most (?) of our manufacturing… And Japan — well, why on earth would they go do all that? And meanwhile we’re rattling our chains re: Ukraine bc that’s really all we can do??? Even with this round of sanctions, Russia eventually comes out ahead, but while Europe swirls slowly down the drain, We. Do. Too. (Russia will do far better, for example, without our help in Arctic oil exploration than will our guys with nowhere to explore…)

I’m thinking we’re almost as panicked as Cameron et. al. in Glasgow… ;~) And you’re right. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night…

how absolutely historic….he is very aware of the forces that are tearing at the fabric of the Russian nation….it’s the same not so hidden forces that have overtaken the US…can you imagine an american congressman standing and saying the same things to the american people….i can’t….he most rightly deserves our applause and respect!!!!!

“it’s time to back away from the Russian wolf” — Tony Brenton (Telegraph)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/vladimir-putin/11084600/Its-time-to-back-away-from-the-Russian-wolf.html

@Samo79, it is well known that there are both communists and monarchists fighting side-by-side in Novorossiya. From an ideological point of view it may seem strange to equate 1917 and 1991 (the earlier Time of Troubles from 1598-1613 is another example), but what Strelkov is saying is not a fringe view in Russia.

The key is to understand that ideology is not the only thing that matters in the way a country is run. It’s only ONE of the things that make a country great, and probably not even that important when it comes down to it.

Even a country with a seemingly terrible ideology can work well, depending on thousands of details in the way things actually get done – what REALLY happens, rather than what SUPPOSEDLY happens. Alternately, even the best ideology can result in terrible chaos.

It’s really, really important to understand that how things are described in theory is often not how things actually work. Any political theory hides the complexity of what really happens.

Look at America’s attempts at regime change – all of the countries they interfere in end up with either complete chaos (Iraq, Libya, Ukraine, South Sudan) or brutal dictatorships (Chile, South Korea in the first few decades, Indonesia), despite the pretty constitutions.

Ideology is simply not nearly as important as making the country WORK WELL. And that was the primary failure of both 1917 and 1991 – both revolutions were followed by years of misery, anarchy and national humiliation. After both of them, the country came very close to falling apart and being divided into spheres of influence by foreign powers. In both cases, politicians eventually came onto the scene who were able to fix what had been broken (by applying thousands of little band-aids, one by one) and make the country work well again, within the outward ideology. For most Soviet citizens, the best time to be alive was in the mid-1960s, with another peak in the mid-1980s just before the final collapse (for proof, look at life expectancy and energy use per capita).

Likewise, Russia was doing well under the monarchy before WW1 started. My great-grandmother talked about how good life was, and how everything fell into disrepair after the 1917 revolution (should sound familiar to anyone who lived through the 1990s).

Wikipedia is claiming that Igor Girkin (whom it says is Strelkov) was found dead in Rostov-on-Don. It gives this link in Russian http://crimelist.ru/archives/49674-kriminalnaya-hronika-rossii

It’s important to handle 5th column before 2016 when NATO will start hostilities against Russia, the summit in Poland will be probably moved up to Spring. The plan includes current ruling party in Poland (Civic Platform, CP) to yield to the main opposition block (unLaw and inJustice LJ), which is rabidly anti-russian, in 2015 when the parliamentary and presidential elections take place. By early 2016 there will be many events destabilizing Poland, Pribaltica, Romania, Ukraine, (Gladio, cyber attacks, bioweapons, energy disruptions) all blamed on demonized Russia, who has been recently consistently called “aggressor”, by both Obama and Komorowski. It’s very probable that some serious steps are taken to replace Obama with Romney, McCain, Ted Cruz, Hitlary Killton or other more subservient puppet to the Bilderbergers/Commonwealth. The UK will lead the charge instigating hate and fury. They held hundreds of thousands of Polish immigrants hostage by artificially maintaining the living standards in Poland much lower through their loyal puppets the CP and the LJ parties. Perfidious Albion will use again naive Poles to fight the enemies of the Crown to last drop of Polish drop, and the immigrant community will not be able to do anything because “you do not bite the hand that feeds you” and the MI6 handlers of fake Islamic “scholar” Chowdhary can threaten them with jihad against the Polish Catholics (or use the EDL for same purpose). Nothing new here in a long history of betrayals, mistreatment, lack of honor in the British-Polish relations: blatant diminishing the crucial role of brilliant Polish mathematicians in cracking the Enigma, in defending the British skies by the brave Polish pilots (read “The Question of Honor”), in cancelling participation of the Polish forces (4th largest among the Allies) in the Victory Parade because of Stalin, in killing general Sikorski in the “accident” in Gibraltar…

The ground is already being staged by shameful speech of the Polish president before Bundestag and fake stories about Gazprom “cutting the gas deliveries” to Poland. Whereas in fact early September Poland _increased_ the demand above the contracted amount. Gazprom refusal to deliver _additional_ supply was announced widely and loudly as another “Russian hostile act” and the stories about scared housewives filled the airwaves – which may be a good thing.

After all Strelkov has to say about fifth columnists, who can any longer blame Stalin for having destroyed Hitler’s fifth columnist in the Soviet Union?

And yes, it existed.

You will search a long to find a British military man of any rank, especially the highest, speaking with such dispassionate, totally open, faultless expression as Strelkov at this press conference.

MK Ngoyo,

I’m going to wait on further confirmation on Strelkov being hanged. Otoh, that Wikipedia (hit) piece 100% confirms Wikipedia as a CIA asset. Wish I’d Wiki’d him two days ago bc the whole thing looks like it was very carefully prepared to put him and a whole bunch of other people in the Very. Worst. Possible. Light. I don’t know how but somebody ought to get a screen grab just in case it changes again. The sourcing for his death, btw, was, erm, weird. Since our presumptive trolls from Langley seem to have changed their tune yet again within the past couple of days, however, I’d say all options are open.

@Nora re NK Ngoyo and Wikipedia

Wikipedia has some features which you may find useful. If you click on the “View History” tab at the top of a wiki entry you can access previous versions such as this from 09/09/14 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Igor_Girkin&oldid=624777044 which seems to be identical except for the sentence about Rostov. The source for the questionable addition is mislabelled as footnote #1 which redirects to footnote #11, both overwriting altogether different footnotes from the earlier version. In other words very hasty clumsy editing.

The source itself http://crimelist.ru/archives/49674-kriminalnaya-hronika-rossii offers “News of the Ministry of Interior, UPC and prosecutor’s offices in Russia and CIS” but certainly doesn’t look very official. Someone who is skillful at determining who runs a given website could enlighten us as to who is behind this rumour.

Brian

Here is Gleb Bazov’s transcript:
http://slavyangrad.org/2014/09/12/we-will-not-allow-for-russia-to-be-ripped-asunder-and-ruined/

Brian

Interview with Igor Strelkov 11/09/14 Parts 1 & 2

*This is really good too!*

Also subtitled and posted (today, 12 Sept) by Kazzura.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spsyRowWmbE

Hard subs, so no English .srt file to make a transcript from :(

Thank you everyone. I have cut-and-pasted and saved your advice.

I think the rest of that Wikipedia piece is *fascinating* though — bc it sure says more about its author(s) than it does about Igor Ivanovich.

What an utter bunch of hooey — and I can say that without knowing very much about any of the other people they smeared. And yes, the sourcing was, erm, hysterical — and not just bc of the numerical mishmash.

Wow, this video is a gem… I wish there was a large scale option for sharing the content of whats published on this site to the masses. Yes this is the internet and available to all that have access, but that’s not the same as to what the sheeple tend to watch on the telly.

Is anyone familiar with the ribbons Mr Strelkov is wearing on his uniform? Russian Federation awards?

—————————-
http://www.cafepress.com/757redreign
Ordered a St George bumper sticker from the above link; just received it in the last week. Very nice quality. Thought I would share…
—————————-

Thank you Mr Saker for providing this wonderful and rare alternative to the overwhelmingly biased media outlets here in the States.

~Texas

You put the headline up for the whole day and did not update it or update comments or anything. Obvious headline trolling is obvious

I have only one quibble with Strelkov’s talk (which I saw a translation of, but can’t see in the video) and that is this: “And we will not allow for Russia to be ripped asunder and ruined again and again in the manner in which the Russian Empire was destroyed in 1917, and USSR – in 1991.”

Although I fully agree that the destruction of the Soviet Union was without a doubt a huge defeat for humanity – I don’t see how the “destruction” of the “Russian” Empire was much of a tragedy, and I’ll explain why (IMHO):

A) There was nothing “Russian” about the Russian Empire. It’s leaders – the autocratic Romanovs – were all of German extraction. The common people had no say in the rule of the country. Many were still little more than slaves bound to the land, living at the mercy of capitalists and the big land lords. In theory, the Czar was above them all and could defend them against the rapacious nobles – but as 1905 proved, the Czar was on the side of the oligarchs and the landlords, not the people.

B) The Soviet Union – eventually – comprised all of the lands of the Russian Empire, save Poland and Finland. So there was little to bemoan about territorial losses.

C) The Soviet Union comprised not just the the former Russian Sphere, but was actually ruled by those who lived there – the common people. Not by some German usurpers who were closer in blood to the English Kings and Queens that their people of Russia. Russians, Georgians, Ukrainians all joined together to make the Soviet Union great, and each Republic had its own say. This was something never seen before in history – a multi-nation superstate who so many were drawn to – from American Blacks, to Muslims, to Europeans to Africans, Arabs, and Asians. No country in the world lacked a Communist Party and the Soviet people – of all “ethnicities” and “religions” – were at the forefront of that world movement.

D) It is hard to imagine a Russia that didn’t go through the revolution of 1917 being able to fend off the Germans which may well have become aggressive Nazis because of Versailles anyway. It is impossible to see that a Russia that still held to the Czar and religious superstition would not be as weak as it was in the First World War.

That’s it – I submit to you that the Soviet Union was a great period in Russian and world history – a state that helped liberate most of the so-called “Third World” including China who now may well be Russia’s greatest friend against the West. The Soviet Union was a Russia of fairness – without the Czar, and without the oligarchs. I submit that had the Soviets not have won the Civil War, then what happened to Russia in the 1990s – which even as a strong society like the one put together by the Soviets barely survived – would have happened in the 1920s, and Russia as we know it would not exist today.

Yes, the Soviet Union had its problems, but compared to the so-called “Russian” Empire, it was a paradise for its people. A people who went on to do the single bravest and greatest act in human history – the thrashing of the Nazi armies in spite of their killing 24 million Soviet people, and the championing of liberation from imperialism from Havana to Beijing, to Luanda, Cairo and beyond. The Soviet Union should be considered a great and necessary part of your history – not as a tragedy. And the polls prove most Russians DO see it like this.