Questions about Belgorod? Ask them for our next episode of ‘This Week in Ukraine’
Dear Kyiv Independent community members,
We need your questions for the next episode of “This Week in Ukraine.” The topic this week is the incursion into Russia’s Belgorod Oblast by the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion.
To send in your questions, you can leave them in the comments below, message us on Patreon, or email community manager Brooke at brooke@kyivindependent.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Episode 7, “How Ukrainian air defense denies Russia air superiority” is linked above. The episode is available on YouTube and on listening platforms, with your questions starting at 22:10.
How Ukrainian air defense denies Russia air superiority | This Week In Ukraine Ep. 8 (YouTube)
Comments (7)
How is it possible that a well known neo Nazi, Denis Kapustin, founder of the freedom of Russia Legion, fights in Belogrod. Obviously supported by the ukrainian army? Is this a problem for the credibility of the ukrainian government/army?
Does Ukraine need to tighten background checks on foreign fighters, given the stories about abuse in part of the foreign legion (which your outlet uncovered), the recent story about the defector to Chechnya, and now the allegations about one of the people in latest incursion? I appreciate that it’s hard to do when fighting off an invasion, and every person willing to help can make a difference. But they might also make a negative difference if they turn out to be the wrong type of person.
Are there possibilities that Belgorod citizens would be aware of the crimes committed by the russian army against ukrainian civilians ? If so, are they sharing that information with russian relatives, or they prefer to remain silent to avoid repression ? Ultimately, would they consider a separation from Russia and become a ukrainian oblast where the war is over ?
What is the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion and what are their political standpoints/opinions or ideology?
Do you think that the attack upon Belgorad is overall a positive event for the war, because it shows Russia's weakness and may cause unrest in Moscow? Or do you see this as a net negative effect, because the Kremlin will use this as an excuse for Russia being "the victim" and cause more missile strikes against Ukrainian civilians?
As has been said — Any excuse will serve as tyrant. The Russians make up excuses all the time regardless of what the reality is, so the Belgorod situation is no benefit to them.
Does it look like the incursion, showing Russia's security weakness, will instigate organic unrest?