We are developing the social individualist meta-context for the future. From the very serious to the extremely frivolous... lets see what is on the mind of the Samizdata people.

Samizdata, derived from Samizdat /n. - a system of clandestine publication of banned literature in the USSR [Russ.,= self-publishing house]

Samizdata quote of the day

For the international community there is a danger that Bucha is seen as an isolated atrocity deserving of a unique response. It certainly deserves investigation and, if possible, criminal accountability. But treating Bucha as unique risks much effort being put into fundamentally performative responses. Bucha is not special. It is indicative of how Russia intended to occupy and repress Ukraine. If there are to be as few other towns as possible to suffer the same fate, then the priority is to maintain the consistent armament of the Ukrainian military to drive the invading Russian army from their communities and to prevent more civilians falling under Russian occupation.

Jack Watling (£), senior research fellow for land warfare at RUSI

5 comments to Samizdata quote of the day

  • djm

    Bucha

    It’s all a little convenient, almost co-ordinated, the way this matter is being reported in the UK

  • It’s all a little convenient, almost co-ordinated, the way this matter is being reported in the UK

    WTF? Seriously, the number of people who have phone-documented this, hot on the heels of the Russian army falling back, means anyone claiming this is a set-up is clearly a loon (£).

  • rhoda klapp

    As I understand it armed civilians forego some of the protections of the laws of war. This chap should not be recommending this without caveat.

    Not that some bunch of chechen irregulars would pay any attention anyway.

  • Agnieszka Roberts

    This chap should not be recommending this without caveat. Not that some bunch of chechen irregulars would pay any attention anyway.

    Ukrainians usually dislike calling Moscow backed people from Chechnya ‘Chechens’, preferring the term ‘Kadyrovtsy’ (followers of Kadyrov), Kadyrov being Putin’s puppet in Chechnya. Ukrainians see Chechnya as an occupied victim of Russia rather than an ally of Russia, and there are Chechen volunteers fighting on the Ukrainian side.

    But you are naive if you think only Kadyrovtsy ignore rules of war, Russian soldiers are not even taught what they are. Forget your western niceties, they mean nothing over there if you are fighting Russia. Civilians have nothing to lose by taking up arms.

  • djm

    Thanks Perry

    the number of people who have phone-documented this, hot on the heels of the Russian army falling back, means anyone claiming this is a set-up is clearly a loon

    Anyone accepting “phone-documented evidence” from those actors presently at work on the Ukraini stage as irrefutably correct, is surely in need of a reminder as just how easily distortions can be inserted into the narrative. See also the performance of the establishment since June 2016…