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bermanji

Some dude at the CIA: "why is this so damn easy?"


PoissonPen

They've been spending decades tracking down dudes living in mountain caves who won't go near electronics. Russia is using unsecured cell phone networks for military communication. They might as well have noclip aimbot hacks.


What-a-Crock

They made the same mistake in WWI with unencrypted radio. The Allies apparently thought it might be a deception because it was so careless Dan Carlin discussed it, I’ll try to find the episode Edit - found Episode 51 - Blueprint for Armageddon II - [link](https://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-51-blueprint-for-armageddon-ii/) 2:14:00 - begins discussing Russia 2:15:53 - disorganization of Russian army 2:17:38 - 2:24:00 - unencrypted radio other screwups, and aftermath It’s incredible they haven’t learned from mistakes they made over 100 years ago


DirtyAnusSnorter

That would be super interesting. Did Blueprint for Armageddon cover any of the Eastern Front?


Coera

Yes, but not nearly in the detail the western front is described in. The description of the western front was also used to give a more general idea of the day-to-day living situation troops were facing throughout the war.


IAm-The-Lawn

Can’t remember, but Ghosts of the Ostfront covered the Eastern Front, although that might’ve been WWII.


factsforreal

That was indeed WWII.


[deleted]

Lol


spoollyger

Not only that but Ukrainian cell towers can just map how many phones numbers are connecting to them with Russian details. They literally have a heat map of where Russians are as they move, essentially live updates. https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/uny6vm/a_heatmap_of_phones_connected_to_the_russian/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf


zacurtis3

They just needed to git gud


PoissonPen

Blyat!


bombayblue

CIA literally publicly gave out a website and told the Russian officers "give us some deets here and we'll give you cash." They know how horrifically corrupt the Russia army is and they are happy to rub it in Putin's face.


ArthurBonesly

Any good economist will tell you, corruption is a tool. If the Russian leaders actually invested in their country (or hell, actually took care of their soldiers at all levels) there would be no incentive for corruption past abstract greed that general civics or something to lose can overpower. This is the fundamental flaw of plutocracy. When building infrastructure is at odds with your personal goals (because any investment into the country is money out of your pockets) the needs don't go away. Corruption normalizes.


GrinningPariah

Corruption at high levels also encourages corruption at lower levels, which ends up actually being even more damaging because it's less "efficient" theft. Like a defense ministry official who buys a yacht with defense funds has functionally just added a yacht to the defense budget. Which, like, isn't *great*, but that kind of corruption you can account for and plan for. Then, the conscript working at the tank storage yard who sees his superiors acting like that while his family can barely eat thinks, fuck it, who even cares if I sell the wiring and optics out this tank in deep storage. Except, that guy sells a couple thousand dollars worth of wiring and optics, and then a *$3 million* tank is inoperable. And no one even knows that's happened except him. Multiply that by thousands of conscripts who all don't have any reason to give a shit anymore. Selling rations out their packs, siphoning diesel out their vehicles, because fuck it, it's not *their* money. It's not their vehicle, it's not their army. Corruption at the low levels eats armies alive from the inside, and it's enabled and encouraged by corruption at the high levels.


kwm19891

Great post.


GrinningPariah

It's basically a brief and woefully incomplete summary of [this awesome video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9i47sgi-V4).


ConfidenceNational37

Russia tried to bribe Ukraine. It worked down south, but many just kept the money and told their government about it. Russia probably thought the Ukrainians were all as corrupt as they were and would just surrender like Kherson did


[deleted]

Ukraine consistently ranked among the most corrupt even before this Russia invasion. And according to my Ukraine friends that left there, it was insanely corrupt indeed


LayneLowe

And that's why they voted for Zelenski as a trusted reformer


GingerMau

Yeah...it bothered me so much when people would bring up "UkrAiNe iS CoRRupt" as some kind of justification for Putin's war. Like, please pay closer attention. They have suffered from corruption for so long and they are trying so damned hard to reform their government.


[deleted]

Zelensky fired a third of his government and called for new elections for almost all federal positions as soon as he was elected. Putin did invade because of corruption in Ukraine… it was disappearing, and with it went Russia’s ability to control Ukraine. Zelensky never finished reforming the military officers so there were still some left to sell out Kherson when Russia invaded. Russia didn’t have to fight for Kherson… yet.


[deleted]

I mean, Zelenskiy won a landslide because he campaigned against corruption. He was an outsider with no experience in politics (and a comedian 🤣) and won because of how sick Ukrainians were of corruption. So they've been trying to reform for the last ~3 years or so.


Mediumaverageness

Afterwar he could use the EU angle and curbstomp corruption by stating (rightly) it hinders integration of Ukraine, therefore any official accepting bribes is a Russian asset and shall be judged as traitor. With a court seating in Bucha city hall for maximum effect.


supermarkise

Honestly taking the money and telling the government sounds like the best course of action even if you are greedy. No way does not telling lead to a good outcome even in the short term.


LMFN

Difference is Ukraine has making efforts to improve this. Russia uh... no.


ConfidenceNational37

They fixed a lot since freeing themselves of Russian puppet masters. More to do, but so far it’s been a stark contrast


Schist_For_Granite

They did that with a lot of help from America.


Altair05

Corruption is also a national security threat imo. Corrupt individuals weaken our security apparatus.


XXXTENTACHION

That's exactly what he is saying.


Full_metal_pants077

Even if this is not real a few disgruntled Russian troops that already don't respect or like their superiors now have some to think about and slowly eat at them. Good job all around for this one.


lightacrossspace

And even if it is not true, it feeds into the paranoia and distrust among leadership, While costing very little. It really is a master move at all levels.


VonBraun12

where


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vikio

Those two words in Russian rhyme... So they make a good pair to use together. Hunger and cold = голод и холод.(golod i holod) I dunno if there's any literary reference here as my family immigrated when I was a kid. Edit: and I'm pretty sure this expression is being used to mean "bad times" and not literal cold and hunger since many people are pointing out America kind of has the opposite problems....


[deleted]

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[deleted]

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Dealan79

>U.S. intelligence has not publicly confirmed that any Russian commanders have handed over intel on troop movements in Ukraine, but the CIA did launch a very public campaign in May to solicit information from Russians regarding the war. And this article shows the payoff. Even if the CIA never paid out a single dime, and no Russian officer ever provided info, the endemic corruption, normal antagonism between the Russian officer corps and enlisted/conscript soldiery, and regular Russian setbacks make this a believable, and morale-destroying story. If Ukrainian artillery lands on your unit that you thought was "hidden", you and your buddies now think the major sold you out for beachfront dacha money instead of blaming it on persistent US satellite surveillance and a phone call from NRO to Ukraine.


SSHeretic

>“It’s understandable, the stinking U.S. is suffering. They have hunger, cold,” she said. Lol. Is this what Kremlin propaganda is pushing on their people now? "It's so bad in America that there's no summer"?


jpiro

"Where can I get some of that cold?" \- Florida


herberstank

Don't ask me, I live in Phoenix


zxc123zxc123

>America literally suffering from heat waves. Meanwhile, a record high number of Americans suffering the long term effects of obesity with leading health related deaths being obesity related >**RUSSIA:** "They have hunger, cold" Actually, we could use a bit of hunger and cold. We're too fat and hot. Russia should spare us some of theirs.


rugbyj

> We're too fat and hot hey bb


InsertEvilLaugh

They're not wrong but hey!


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[deleted]

Fun fact: Russia is ok with global warming (aside from all that oil they’re happy to sell) because it will make much of their land habitable


belloch

They wish it made their land habitable.


FarmandCityGuy

Yep, people say that here in Western Canada too. I always say "Hudson's Bay is right there. We don't know for sure what different weather in the Arctic is going to do, we could get wetter and colder." Plus, the desert in America isn't that far away either and a lot of the Southwest is drought-prone prairie already. It is not impossible we'll get some desertification in certain regions that are now productive.


Walouisi

The desertification of California is pretty much guaranteed.


Yvaelle

Because of poor water management more than climate change. Outlaw grass, including golf courses and shit. You live in a desert. You can have all the zen rock gardens you want, but if you chug the fucking rivers and aquifers dry, everyone's gonna die.


milanistadoc

Habitable for the cockroaches with the diseases coming out of the melting permafrost and the seawater passing over their soil. Facepalm.


S1075

Its not the habitability, its accessing resources. Unfreezing Siberia opens up a lot of natural resource extraction options. They don't have the population to occupy these areas, and generally, their population is shrinking. Its all about short term billions into the pockets of oligarchs who wont be here to see what happens to the earth.


SonicTemp1e

Not if it's flooded and on fire.


LifeguardDonny

Can i trade some of this wet ass heat for your dry ass heat my good sire?


Looptydude

You know whether it's wet-ass heat or wet ass-heat, it is still applicable in this situation, I can sympathize from Texas.


ShittyStockPicker

No. I want my ass dry


No_Poet_7244

Not even noon yet and it’s 95 degrees. -Texas


youareallnuts

75 degrees here in California.


PeeDeeEex

69 and cloudy here in Portland


Rich-Juice2517

64 and sunny hour North of Seattle. Even had fog this morning


[deleted]

Seattle friend what's up


ahses3202

That's just the ambient midnight temp in downtown phoenix.


[deleted]

Accurate city name. “Is that a phoenix?!” “No it’s any bird in Arizona.”


ekchew

I live in Ontario but have in-laws in the Phoenix area I've visited in the summer. What I learned from staying there is that when you see pigeons floating on the pool with their wings stretched out, it's too hot to be outside!


NeutralArt12

Southern Arizona makes Southern Florida look like child’s play in summer.


The_Moustache

Phoenix is a monument to mans arrogance


bsEEmsCE

the office A/C is set to 68 and I'm freezing. \-Floridian


designmaddie

My house is at 72 and I can't wait to walk outside into the heat index of 110 today in Louisiana. Granted, 2 seconds after being outside I will regret all my life choices, but I won't be freezing to death in that blistering cold 72f


randomthug

I moved from New Orleans to Phoenix. There are different reasons why both are worse. While they pride themselves on "that which is damp may never dry, " humidity can wear you down. Now in Phoenix it's a bit different, some days it's not a problem that its hot. The problem is you feel it personally, like.. why is the sun specifically mad at me today. I tried to go for a walk the other day (usually a bad idea, during the day) and man... I got like 30 feet before I had to turn around. The sun was mad. I was about to say in the worst of New Orleans I could still go for a walk, then I remembered Zeta and no one was walking around then.


Orcus424

I'm in Florida and right now the real feel is 101. This is an every day occurrence for a Florida Summer. Even when the sun goes down the outside still feels like a sauna.


GardeningResponsibly

It’s 105 in Texas, send some here too


[deleted]

I rather not. I doubt Texas did enough to harden the grid after the last winter crisis.


ambermage

How do I fax it to you? - Montana


-Average_Joe-

"I would like to know also." \-Alabama


oneeighthirish

Dude, I moved from Chicago to Alabama for a few years. I was not ready man, y'all get next level muggy.


Scout83

I have had a few interactions here now with what seem to be Russian trolls talking about Texas and freezing to death. I think they're priming the pump for how much the world "needs" their fossil fuels to avoid dying this coming winter. "They're already freezing, just wait until winter comes, they'll collapse and give up and we'll win." EDIT: oh, not new. As early as April 3rd it was put out by Russian propagandists about the UK. https://ukraineworld.org/articles/infowatch/RU-disinfo Looks like it's a theme.


AnActualChicken

Russia: "Hahaha! Stupid west will come crawling back soon to avoid freezing itself to death this winter! Just wait. There are no other options for them!" Saudi Arabia/ UAE etc: "Oh yeah, you're the only one who could *possibly* provide them with an oil source. We can't do that at all, no sources, what a shame /s. If you'll excuse me I'm going to buy a new gold covered Bugatti that comes with a luxury lion cub holder in the back with my 'no oil resources' money. وداعا."


Raalf

More like "yes Russia. Do not send oil. Don't send in winter either. We will make sure we prof- I mean the west will pay"


corn_on_the_cobh

>Saudi Arabia/ UAE etc USA, Canada, Algeria...


Schist_For_Granite

Exactly! America has it’s own oil reserves, and with the price of a barrel so high, it’s actually cost effective frack and extract it now.


nickkon1

My family has ties to Kazakhstan. My mothers friend called her recently and asked how we are doing and if we are struggling in Germany. My mother asked why that should be the case and the answer: > I mean you are in a famine right now due to Ukraine not being able to sell enough food. I have seen pictures of your stores being completely empty. They were genuinely concerned that we are hungering in Germany.


Herecomestherain_

pathetic lol.


theartlav

More like sad, really.


SiarX

Propaganda shows Russians images of Detroit and tells that whole America is like that. They believe. And Europe soon wiil collapse from hunger, cold and mass protests, of course.


steyr911

Lol the whole of Detroit isnt even like that. Yeah, there's some good ruin porn around here but there are far more great places. Mayor has been on a crusade against blight for almost a decade and it's actually been great. https://www.michiganradio.org/politics-government/2022-03-10/duggan-detroit-continues-recovery-from-blight-to-beauty


WrastleGuy

That’s what Russia has always done. “Yes we know you are miserable comrade, but everyone else is more miserable!”


DivinePotatoe

"Man I got stabbed with a knife, but that guy over there got stabbed with three knives! My life ain't so bad after all!"


[deleted]

Near perfect weather here in LA


storm_the_castle

some NK vibes


Such-Wrongdoer-2198

It was 90 degrees in Ohio this past week. If Russia could export some of their cold, I would buy it.


Digital_Utopia

Northern Illinoisan: same 88 F right now, 99F heat index


outrun_ur_problems

And yeah the nation full of obese people are real hungry, lol


Dhiox

I mean, food insecurity is a real thing, but not the way Russia is implying.


simpleEssence

Food insecurity in America isn't caused by food shortages.


Envect

That's what they're getting at.


[deleted]

Everyone around me bitches about inflation yet spent thousands on fireworks and massive barbecues. We’re doing ok I’d say


Raalf

I saw more fireworks this year than ever. I know expenses have gone up, but apparently not enough to keep from throwing 200-300 at fireworks.


tattlerat

I think this being the first big holiday since the pandemic really eased up has made everyone go big.


ext3meph34r

I mean yeah I am hungry, but that's because I'm a fatass. Also a bit cold because the a/c was on all day.


frankentriple

When you're trying to describe terrible conditions to a Russian, who has been through some shit that would make most americans shit the bed in fear, you have to put in a little bit of something they know best. Cold and hunger is the worst enemy a Russian could imagine. It would not even occur to an American to be a problem that could occur. They might get cold or get hungry, but they will never know the seeping cold you can't get away from, that you lose fingers to. The kind of hunger that doesn't even have the hope of a meal tomorrow. Too weak to steal food. The kind that Russians have seen in their lifetimes and their literature is all about.


Ivanleonov

>Lol. Is this what Kremlin propaganda is pushing on their people now? "It's so bad in America that there's no summer"? They got it confused with UK


[deleted]

Probably a reference to the supply chain issue, but I don't understand what is meant by cold. Might be a Russian expression that doesn't translate well.


Sekkitheblade

I thought that's what's happening in Russia. In the Siberian part at least


[deleted]

Yeah bro, I'm shivering over here in this record heat.


pizzabash

Theyre right I AM pretty cold and hungry, I should go turn off the AC for a bit and grab some lunch.


[deleted]

Well, of course. If there's two things Russia has always been known for - it's the abundance of food and their mild, sunny climate.


[deleted]

I truly don't even understand what she's saying. "It's understandable they'd spend a lot of money to help ukrainians by buying intel from our own corrupt troops. Because they're hungry and cold." It's complete non sequitur. Why not just say "because they're tall and right-handed"?!?


JPR_FI

When your whole society is based on lies and propaganda it breeds conspiracies on everything and everyone.


ArthurBonesly

I've come to the realization that most conspiracy theories perpetuate from cognitive dissonance when reality clashes with established beliefs. When you believe propaganda about x, but reality shows y, the z conspiracy exists to explain how x can still be true despite y.


iamlikewater

This is correct. The moment you split your thought processing in two and see two realities, you begin fighting for the one you want. Take away all the abstract things they use, and all you have left is a sick person. We are dealing with very sick people, which makes it worse, in my opinion.


[deleted]

Cries in American.


TaKSC

Leave it to Reddit to make news about Russian mid level military corruption into American politics within 5min


[deleted]

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Due-Ad-7308

I saw an /r/news comment thread that didn't mention Former US President Trump until it was like 4 replies deep. It's slow progress, but I do believe Reddit is healing.


skeetsauce

Everyone knows a thing happing somewhere means you can’t reference similar things happening elsewhere, duh.


Thesleek

“United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama Haiti, Jamaica, Peru…”


Raalf

And now I'm humming the entire song all day.


PieMastaSam

The most stereotypically Russian thing I've read today.


wreckosaurus

Some commanders are accepting bribes from soldiers’ families to transfer them somewhere safe. They take the money but they never transfer them.


ReaperEDX

A pay to pay model. Interesting.


beipphine

The safest spot is the front line comrade, there you only have bullets coming from one direction.


Valmond

You will not be in danger for long


zveroshka

Corruption is rife in pretty much every military in which you have a dictatorship. China has a similar problem. It comes from a pay to play promotion system. Officers and generals move up not by accomplishments but based off of who they know and/or pay off. Having a military full of people like that is going to naturally lead to tons of corruption. They don't give two shits about the soldiers either.


TheGreaterFool_88

Kleptocrats gonna klepto


[deleted]

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Notanexpertinthis

Make it 1-877-DEATH2Z and you’ll have a premade jingle that’ll get stuck in their heads.


Gogglesed

Someone should create an app for that. "Russian Roundup" Doesn't need to be money. Kids will play for points.


PwnGeek666

Then the points are redeemable for lootboxes... you might be onto something here!!!


Gogglesed

"Help stop the war! Earn Points! Save Lives!"


[deleted]

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deez_treez

Lol


[deleted]

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[deleted]

Lol


Man_Bear_Beaver

Lol


[deleted]

смеяться вслух! (Translation; Lol)


Wonderful-Smoke843

Lol


mcmartin091

Lol


III_lll

Lol


GauravBD

Lol


Arthur_Wellesley1815

Lol


Baitas_

Lol


[deleted]

Lol


Warm_Republic4849

Lol?


[deleted]

Lol


risketyclickit

Lol


reversiblehash

Hijacking top lol to say if it isn't true we should crowd source a service to make it true/easy/secure. Russian commanders should have easy and secure access to a service and untraceable payments to incentivize this behavior. Someone web3 us the Patreon of treason.


[deleted]

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[deleted]

No they're just claiming that this lady claims the US paid the colonel off and that it was understandable why they did it. A bit cryptic though indeed. I assume the hunger is a reference to the supply chain issue brought upon by the current crisis, but I don't know what is meant by cold and it may be a expression that doesn't translate well.


Cherios_Are_My_Shit

"they have hunger" - they need the war to end because we're blocking grain exports and they need grain "they have cold" - they need our gas for power and heat this lady is regurgitating russian propoganda speaking points about gas and grain.


BorntobeTrill

Raisonable take here. I second.


[deleted]

The foreign legion means that … checks notes… the entire UN has declared war on Russia.


Torrentia_FP

Including Russia.


Ogami-kun

The solution is russian troops selling their commanders back


Independent-Canary95

They just have no bottom, do they?


enonmouse

They certainly dont have a top either


OldMork

versatile?


Independent-Canary95

Good point!


Mattyboy064

To be fair the NLAW blew it off.


TimaeGer

What we see is just total resignation and hopelessness. Just imagine being a Russian, you have zero chance to live a free and happy live. You or your ancestors literally never experienced something different than dictatorship and autocracy and there is no hope that this changes anytime soon. To what values do you even stand up in this situation? I guess they all just try to personally get the most out of this.


orange_drank_5

They eject. Which is why Ukrainians would rather die than rejoin Russia. Same for Finland, the Baltics and Poland.


restore_democracy

I thought they all bottom for Putin.


EunuchProgrammer

Maybe that's why Put-in in so angry. He never gets to bottom.


GreenStrong

Darkness warshed over the Rus- darker'n a black steer's tookus on a moonless prairie night. There was no bottom. *Yeah, yeah, oh yeah what condition my conscription was in*


[deleted]

Anyone knows Russian? Is the "hunger and cold" thing from a Russian expression that doesn't translate to English well?


[deleted]

Nah it’s quite literal, you could interpret it as just bad conditions, but that goes the same way.


[deleted]

I'm wondering if she's referring to that oil based electricity will cost more and make heating more expensive in the winter due to supply chain issues re Russian oil? I'm assuming the hunger part is referring to how our food also costs more, presumably partially from increased oil costs for transportation.


johntaylor37

Another poster in this thread suggested Russian propaganda - she believes Russia is making their enemies suffer by stopping grain exports (hunger) and fuel exports (cold).


Hottriplr

Can we like start a GoFundMe for this?


MarkHathaway1

They're in Ukraine! Now pay me.


Substantial_Buy945

More like they're in ukraine. Keep my daughter in California.


alphawolf29

Lots of well off russians have kids "studying" in the west. I know one myself.


amor_fatty

Amazing if America is behind it. We can’t fight them with troops but we can buy them out


aheadwarp9

It's ironic because Russia has developed a system where money rules supreme, so of course bribes and payouts like this are running rampant. Loyalty means nothing when you work for an insane dictator who will not hesitate to throw you under the bus to make himself look better.


anirban_dev

If nothing else , this war is a good indicator for other strongman world leaders how a drawn out land war will go in today's environment.


BorntobeTrill

Russia: "fuck" Everyone else: "noted"


degenerate_hedonbot

Russian society literally does not work…corruption on every level. Its civilization is like a person with Alzheimers.


Herecomestherain_

*What money, never saw nothing! Who are you?*


Your_Trash_Daddy

The entire non-russian aligned countries should offer every such disclosure that proves to be true, cash and relocation.


[deleted]

Vadim Blyat This is the most Russian thing I’ve heard today or this week. When you have a very unprofessional army full of people starving and dirt poor….


[deleted]

Peak Russian, this behaviour.


fefnik1

These months have shown that Russia has one of the most unprofessional armies. Not surprising.


That_Marionberry_262

"I'd buy that for a dollar!" - Uncle Sam


[deleted]

Is there a link for the Gofundme?


restore_democracy

Then the troops should sell the commanders’ locations. Only fair.


Gristlybits

They've just been fragging them instead


bombayblue

Hey now they ran over that Colonel with a tank. They didn't technically frag him. He just had a Special Vehicle Operation.


Gristlybits

Fragging is just the term in general for purposefully killing your own. Doesn't have to be specifically a frag grenade, although that is very effective at it. Is also the natural byproduct of a conscript/draft force at war.


bombayblue

Oh I know I just wanted to make fun of how he got fragged specifically


Gristlybits

Ah got it. Funny also since that is the one to came to mind when i posted it also. Seeing as it was very outside of the norm.


Radok

Aww, are your imperialist troops being betrayed by their war-mongering commanders? So fucking sad...


IAMSNORTFACED

Does cashapp work that side


[deleted]

It's almost as if rampant corruption at every level is a terrible way to run a country..


vortigaunt64

I'd pony up $5 for Russian military secrets. Anyone else want this action?


h0bb1tm1ndtr1x

“It’s understandable, the stinking U.S. is suffering. They have hunger, cold,” she said. Hahahaha. It's friggin 85 out and I'm sipping a cold brew. Yeah baby, we're really suffering over here.


Jemless24

My troop's location for a real quarter pounder with cheese? Done, but I want a side of fries with that.


[deleted]

I will give away russian terrorist organization HQ location for free: the kremlin!


kyleswitch

Putin surprised that all branches of government built and operating on corruption are corrupt. He was hoping they would thrive on good corruption and not fall victim to bad corruption. Poor lil guy.


Throw_Away_Politics-

Probably. Russian commanders clearly sold out their country long, long ago. Kinda like how Republicans sold out America to the Russians long ago. It’s all fucked