Interview (excerpt)
An ex-attaché to Russian Embassy explains.
An unnamed source, previously affiliated with the Russian Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic, has agreed to an interview with Regarding Journalism.
Here we will publish an excerpt of the most important questions and answers.
-Please introduce yourself
In another decade I was attached to the Russian Embassy here [in Prague]. I've been following politics for more than 20 years. I will not give out my name.
-What do you think about the propaganda currently on display?
There is propaganda from both sides. If you support the Russian cause, here in the Czech Republic, you can receive three years in prison. They are just using a statute from an old law for that.
-When did Putin start planning the invasion into Ukraine?
Putin started moving massive amounts of military freight by midnight trains, ever since the midst of COVID. The war was being prepared for about 2 years.
-Do you think the economic sanctions imposed on Russia are only meant as punishment or do you believe it has economic underpinnings?
I believe it has ties to the Schwab organisation [World Economic Forum.] BlackRock (American investment fund) bought up shares of distressed Russian banks after sanctions first hit (unverified.)
The source, who was priding himself on being somewhat immune to propaganda, eventually did reveal the deep impact that misinformation had on him. He repeated explicitly Russian talking points about a misrepresentation or miscounting of Ukrainian casualties.
The Western powers would be smart to be able to convince the Russian people about the real toll the Russian incursion has had on the civilian death count in Ukraine.