October 10, 2022
Eleven months ago, I launched this project. At the time, I wrote: “The point of this project is to record what happens to us in our country. It will be a newsfeed with my short comments, which will include (in the beginning) 10-12 events on which my attention will focus.”
On February 24, life changed dramatically. It is impossible to talk about what is happening in Russia and not talk about the terrible, brutal, senseless war started by the manic-obsessed Vladimir Putin. The war destroys Ukraine’s homes, hospitals, schools, and factories. The war is killing tens of thousands of civilians and military personnel. War cripples the lives of families, villages, and cities.
In addition to the war against the neighboring country, Putin unleashed a war against the future of Russia, which has become a pariah country isolated from the global economic, technological, scientific, and cultural process. Hundreds of thousands of intelligent and energetic people have left the country. Those who stayed and understood what was happening were intimidated and kept silent, while those who chose not to be silent were subjected to repression.
Russia’s news agenda has shrunk within narrow limits: War, repression, the degradation of the economy, and morality. My attempts to find positive trends in the stream of life have been unsuccessful. The Putin regime is killing Russia’s future, and the project has become a description of the murder. A Murky time has turned into a Black Time, for which one color is enough to describe it. I must admit, I have lost interest in the project in its current form. So, I have decided to stop.
As of today, I am ceasing the publishing of my reviews, but I intend to “compensate” for this loss to paying subscribers: In an irregular mode, I will share my assessments of what is happening in the Russian economy or Russian public consciousness (thanks, Levada-Center, which is willing to ask questions at my request).
P.S. For those paid subscribers who prefer to be refunded instead of receiving my future posts, please email s.aleksashenko.stream@gmail.com, and we will agree on the procedure.