re: Latest Updates: Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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All of these telegram channels have been cheer leaders for Russia since the start of the war. It is the ultimate irony that the very government they have been pumping is going to throw them all in jail.

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Whether the telegram channels were organic or intentionally created is irrelevant. They were state sanctioned, hard line rhetoric. Good propaganda because some measure of information and factual critique, consumed in both Russia and the West. They justified the use of brutal tactics for the Russian audience, and sowed uncertainty for Western consumers with the nuclear saber rattling.

By outward appearances, Putin's options have been dwindling. If a poorly equipped and trained 300k mobilization is defeated in the field, the war seemingly would be lost and perhaps spell the end of Putinism.

He hasn't prepared the Russian populace for anything other than total victory. A defeat could lead to civil unrest, renewed political opposition, or dissent from within. It'll be interesting to see what, if anything, takes the place of the telegram channels in the information space.

I personally think that Putin needs to create his own off ramp if he is to survive politically. Some advocate for the West and/or Ukraine to cede one to him, which is an asinine argument.