Russian Digest
Top Stories I'm keeping an eye on
Facing resistance in occupied Kherson, Russian forces crackdown on disobedient residents via Kyiv Independent
The Russian military in Ukraine has replenished its ranks with units from the occupied territories of Georgia - a total of about 2,000 people have arrived. via Ukrainian Pravda
Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, and the Czech Republic—are expelling Russian diplomats, with the Netherlands and Belgium citing threats to national security via Forbes
An investigation by Bellingcat, The Insider, and the BBC has now discovered that in the days and months prior to his assassination in 2015, Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was tailed by members of the same assassination squad that would subsequently follow Kara-Murza, Bykov, and Navalny. via Bellingcat
Ukraine’s intelligence agency GUR asserted starting April 1, Russia will mobilize reservists throughout the federation at the same time as scheduled conscription, to "cover for a large number of mobilized people who will arrive at military enlistment offices." The directorate claimed that 100,000 Russians had signed contracts under the BARS-2021 military reserves program that will supposedly be utilized. via Jerusalem Post
So, I’m wondering about two issues: first is the Russian military reduction around Kviv really designed to help with peace negotiations or is it designed to reinforce the alleged ‘Korea Model’ For a partitioned Ukraine? The second item is: why would anyone on either side eat or drink anything at the peace talks. In truth I don’t trust Putin or his attempts at negotiation. I think he would/will sabotage any talks in order to remain in power.