The Eastern Border

What to watch for in the incoming peace talks. What Putin wants and why – and what he probably doesn’t care about. Z-vatniks lament the degeneration of Russia, and I take a look at their economy once again, to show why it looks extremely bad in the long run.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Z-vatniks continue to react to Ukraine peace talks. They are NOT happy, and they don't see it as any form of victory. Instead, they're becoming more and more disillusioned with Putin. Oh, also Russian economy is continuing to go down, and nobody seems to care.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Updates about the Kursk region. Girkin’s officially sad now. Z-vatniks experience troubles from Kremlin – everything indicates that Putin’s preparing a crackdown on these “turbopatriots”.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Igor Girkin and other Z-vatniks write about how Russia's doomed in case of an armistice, Russian army gets delivered military donkeys and Ukraine makes a breakthrough in the Kursk region. Also, Girkin's buddy Kvachkov has gone completely insane and is writing a manifesto. This and more in today's news catch-up episode.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings, Comrades! This should be treated as the sequel to my Terminal stage of Homo Sovieticus episode. The independent Russian opposition media ‘Verstka’ did another great piece on the Russian soldiers, this time about an amputee rehabilitation center. I found the article to be extremely important and so, here’s a translation of it, with some of my added thoughts and comments. It is literally an inhuman void of complete darkness, and I also got massive PTSD flashbacks and a panic attack while working with this material, so…there’s a lot to think about.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is very unlike my regular stuff – but a contact of mine from Russia sent me a sports story that is just so strange, that I had to include it somewhere. So, you’re getting this “footy special”. Normal news episodes and some history incoming soon, but this story is genuinely bizzare. Consider it a throwback to our early days and enjoy!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A sincere and very human talk with my friend and a listener of the show, Gabriel a.k.a Lord Grapefruit about transgender issues. What the Z-vatniks and Russian propaganda say about LGBT people and why it’s important for Putin’s regime to blame them for everything, answers to listener questions, mostly from the average Latvian including very conspiracy theory one’s that would quite probably would not be considered appropriate elsewhere, and also a very human look on the LGBT issues and the political left in general.Please also check out Gabe on YouTube and Twitch, currently he’s playing Vampire: The Masquerade and it’s tons of fun!https://www.twitch.tv/lordgrapefruithttps://www.youtube.com/@lordgrapefruitSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russia's reaction to Trump's ultimatums. Angry at first, then predictably sad - Igor Girkin has given lengthy comments as well. And a Russian scientist gets imprisoned for "wrong research", that did not even happen in Stalin's era.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode's named a bit differently, because I owe a moral debt to the honorable and proud nation of Louxembourg. But it fits - as today we're looking at how Z-vatniks react to Trump's inauguration...and contrast it with the real situation on the ground. There's some brutal analysis by the Rusich group at the end as well.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dugin complains, that Russians are interested only in money. Which makes sense, seeing as their country is about to run out. Solovyev produces a massive fail for propaganda and now everyone hates his guts and vatniks discuss how the impact of drone warfare.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Opposition analysts look at the Democrats and especially Jake Sullivan and their numerous failures related to the war, meanwhile Z-vatniks are extra worried that a societal collapse in Russia is likely unless there is a radical change in the administration. Which isn't going to happen.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I finally completed the economy episode, that I had promised long ago. With some…well…economically philosophical essays by a few very well respected Russian opposition economists. So that you’d get some autoritative opinions on my views about why, in the long term, Putin’s just screwed over the regular people completely.Also, join my discord:https://discord.gg/WsYwnupcSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year started with an infamous traitor to Latvian people dying in Russia. I wanted to talk about this guy, who also happens to be a buddy of Igor Girkin, but then I fell into a rabbit hole.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we take a look of the Russian economy and what the main news stories not related to the war were in Russian infosphere. Spoiler alert: They’re more screwed than you could probably imagine. And that’s even IF they manage to end the war with something positive.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latvian Public Broadcaster has an interesting research on the Russian "liberal opposition" journalists, Ukrainian drone advancements shock Z-vatniks and Transnistria is collapsing.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Azeri president Aliyev scores a powerful diplomatical haymaker, bruising Putin's ego, vatniks are losing the will to live and...well...Happiness is mandatory for You in the New Year!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ramzan Kadyrov gets more air defence, uses it to shoot down a civilian Azerbaijani plane. Russia now has a law that will put a fee on all volunteer donations to the army and they've been using the cars, confiscated from the troops to plug up their lack of armored vehicles on the front.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

General who spewed the "biolab" nonsense killed; Putin spends over 4 hours, spewing nonsense and irritates Z-vatniks; Russian Central Bank thinks it can get the inflation to 4% next year.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vatniks have now reached the point of irrepairable cognitive dissonance. Russian economy is doing horribly bad, mobilized realize that they probably won't have any carreer to go back to...and many other symptoms of a failed state.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reaction to the collapse in Syria. Girkin's buddies plotting to take power at the right moment. Russian economy is basically in the drain...and Ramzan Kadyrov appears to be humbled and a bit weak.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actually, I should've just called this episode War in Syria. But, as usual, it all ties together as we're seeing a second front open up...and then collapse violently. And in between all of this, Ramzan Kadyrov just MASSIVELY overstepped the line, and now there's just complete madness everywhere. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While I was preparing for an economy episode, major events in Syria happened. Oh, and the Russian army is taking away cars from the front line now. Together with the phones.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yeah, this is a long one – lots of important things happened during my vacation, which just shows that I’m not alllowed to relax. I talk about the Oreshnik, economy, Merkel’s memoires…oh and the Orthodox Church have been extra weird lately.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As I'm about to go to a short vacation to The Netherlands, I'm bringing You my discussion with our friend Alex from History Impossible podcast, where we talk about the Trump election, it's impact and how you might deal with it on a philosophical level. It's a weird, catharsis episode. I, for one, tried to find optimism where I could.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russia's playing the blame game on chemical weapons use, while showing their use by their own soldiers on national television, Z-vatniks complain that Orwell's "1984" is much more popular than literature about the "SMO" in the book sales rankings. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two audio recordings from folks in important positions in Russia reveal problems in the military-industrial complex and show that meat assaults are a feature, not a bug. Meanwhile, Z-community is getting fed more false hopes.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I waited for a day before making this, and it was well worth it. Because now we have a speech by Putin and reactions from Russian opposition and vatniks. And they are nowhere near the elation and joy as most western media that I've seen is claiming. As usual, everything is much more complicated.  "I do not know what is going to happen now. I have no clue." / Putin, 2024.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Allthough I’ve caught a cold and sound pretty miserable, I decided to release this one before everyone is 100% focused on the election results. Putin’s original negotiations plans, HIV and hepatitis in the Russian army and another letter from Igor Girkin.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maxim Kalashnikov writes about what are the wins and losses of USA in this war - and talks about the systemic issues of the Russian army. I look at those issues in more depth than usual, because it seems to me that we're near a breaking point. Not because of each individual issue, but because they're finally beginning to add up. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode I am joined by our friend Michael (who claims to actually be Prigozhin) from The Red Line podcast. He, together with his team has worked hard to map out the militaries of Central Asia. Turns out, that we fund Tajikistan way more than you might think. Of course, we also have discussions about other subjects, of varying degrees of seriousness. Enjoy!https://oxussociety.org/viz/military-units/ – Results of the research – a map of military units in Central Asiahttps://www.theredlinepodcast.com/ – The Red Line podcastSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Girkin sends another letter from prison - agreeing with Ukraininan analysts and following my predictions about what's gonna happen with Russia in the future. Kremlin's now relying on North Korea to win a technological war. And, of course, the deaths of Ernest and Goodwin continue to damage the morale all over the Z-blogosphere.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, you'll find out why people are willing to go to certain death for 20,000$, why more and more of them are aged 40 - 60, what kind of people they are and what's on their minds. Independent Russian journalists at "Vyerstka" just published an incredibly powerful piece, which I decided to give you in full. Because most western media will just ignore it - and those that will take notice are almost guaranteed to misunderstand it. This is a very existential episode, obviously. And hopefully thought provoking. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zelensky's victory plan, another letter from Girkin, and "dragon's teeth" doing massive sabotage in the Russian rear. And, well, more. This time, darker than usual, so there are warnings.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gang warfare in Caucasus returns and they don't waste time. Ramzan Kadyrov and Chechen gangs vs. Ingushetia and Dagestan and their own gangs. Criminalization of Russia has now stepped over the breaking point. Also, Russia bans discord, which disrupts their massive counterattack in Kursk.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukraine's returned to the oil refinery bingo, Russian opposition squabbles among themselves, investigation confirms what we all knew - that Navalny got poisoned - and yet another tragedy for the vatniks, the "Thirteenth" Z-blogger got arrested.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russian problems with drones at the front. Also Maxim Kalashnikov explains his GLORIOUS (extreme sarcasm) plans for the future of Russia. Which is basically modern USA except without the free market.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First of all, congratulations (no, seriously) to North Korea's U20 women's soccer team. And in the more serious news, analysis why the ideological fithers of Russia are a dying breed and how the support for the war is inevitably dying with them.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Girkin gives a short interview to Russian state media while his buddies and the Russian people in general have become utterly disillusioned with the war. Also, a German far-right politician uses Belorussian slave labor in his onion farm.Remember to check out my friends at https://zerohr.io/ for all your IT hiring needs!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ernest and Goodwin story reach it's natural conclusion, Russian hardliners are losing faith in their government and becoming doomers, wives of the mobilized get arrested.Also, please check out https://zerohr.io/ an IT-hiring streamlining platform, made by friends whom I wanted to help out with a bit of publicity, maybe this interests you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gigantic explosion in Tver, 90's are returning to Russia and why nothing will change for the better while Putin is in charge. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukrainians are causing a lot of problems for Russians in the Kursk region - but not as many as the Russian officers are causing for the Russian army. The deaths in a meat assault of two Russian Z-vatniks who happened to be very prolific on Telegram and also among the top Russian drone experts have revealed glaring issues in the vatnik army.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russia counterattacks in Kursk region, but stalls near Pokrovsk. Z channels continue to whine about the ‘wrong’ people and are yet again struck by unpleasant surprises in the tech department. Also, decommunization.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Z Community is having a bit of a civil war, Putin wants to live forever and confuses medics, and...well, the Joe Bide's America Adventures have failed to work as a propaganda piece. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russian TV netvork TNT, their HBO equivalent, has just presented a new, state sponsored, "comedy" series about Joe Biden, visiting Russia, because the sanctions are not working and all the Russians are too happy. I am reading the leaked pilot script. There are no jokes. And the propaganda part is...baffling. Imagine the usual ultra fascism, USA bad, Russia AMAZING, with every stereotype ever, bu...also...the love interest of the main Russian character, the main female character of the show is a schoolteacher who is forced to work as a prostitute, because of poverty. This is unintentionally bad, turned kafka-esque, and I am...at a loss here. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A little bit of my birthday celebration, intertwined with utter and complete corruption in the Russian army. And a bit more info on Pavel Durov.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arrest of Pavel Durov has caused panic and shock among the Russian troops and the Z community - as all of their military comms rely on Telegram. That, and other problems in the orc horde - as they've started to embrace being orcs themselves.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’ll laugh, of course, but there has been another ISIS related terror incident in Russia. Also, the unbelievable has happened, and a small bit of truth has been said on Russian state TV. Oh, and Z channels react (badly) to Ukrainian recent successes.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back – this time, with fresh news about the events in Kursk. Putin’s visiting candy factory in Azerbaijan and lying about Beslan, failing to be a leader of any sort whatsoever, meanwhile Russian propagandists have received new instructions about the new normal and internet’s getting properly blocked within Russia.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As I’m working on yet more news episodes, here is (the more global and philosophical) part 2 of our conversation with Heaton from Political Orphanage.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's happening in Kursk region, what are the perspectives for the Ukrainian side, what are the goals of the operation and what can be reallistically achieved. Also, how the Z - vatniks react to all of this. The events that happened during the past few days have forced me to enter full journalism mode. I've worked with both primary sources and analysts and scoured the Z channels for this, and there was quite a lot that I had to leave out because of the informational silence policy, which I absolutely respect. I've included as much as I could, both directly and "in between the lines" as I could, without endangering the whole operation, as to not put my friends in danger. One thing is for sure though - sop worrying about the nuclear plant, it's not about that and any media personality who focuses on that both knows nothing about warfare and is shamelessly clickbaiting with the most sensational stuff that they could find. The mess...as usual...is much more complicated.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.