A leading Russian military-affiliated Telegram channel has unleashed a blistering critique on Vladimir Putin's immigration stance, coming after experts warned of the consequences huge losses in the Ukraine war could have for Russia's demographics. The Rybar Telegram Channel, established by Mikhail Zvinchuk who boasts over 1.3 million followers, has a reputation for its pro-war views.
Zvinchuk, a former military linguist commended by the Kremlin with the prestigious Order of Merit of the Fatherland Second Class just this year, stirred up controversy last month when the channel released an exposé on Russia's shifting demographic landscape, showcasing the suburb of Kotelniki in Moscow as a case study. In a polished production, the channel charged that migrants had repeatedly assaulted locals.
Further fueling the fire, the video suggested that a mere 50% of the 8,000 schoolchildren in the area were ethnically Russian, adding to fears over the performance of the Russian economy. Allegations flew as the clip accused terrorist headhunters of operating in a Moscow flea market notorious for the sale of weapons and falsified Russian passports.
To top off the list, it pinpointed supposed locations of clandestine "ethnic brothels" and unauthorized mosques.
The provocative video concluded with a stark prompt: "So, who benefits from this breeding ground of Islamic radicals, Russophobes, and bandits near the Russian capital?"
For years, cut-rate migrant workers have been the backbone of Russia's construction projects, much to the dependency of local builders and residents, reports the Express.
Given the exodus towards Western climes and a dwindling birthrate, migrants from the neighboring former Soviet Central Asian Republics have been plugging the holes in Russia's labor market.
Social media is rife with footage of Russian military recruiters trying to enlist migrant workers for the conflict in Ukraine.
Supporters of Putin have previously voiced dissent over the Kremlin’s approach to migration.
Georgy Zakrevsky, the Paladin militia group's founder, unleashed a harsh critique of Putin last year. In one segment of his tirade, he claimed: "The population is dying out, becoming impoverished, drinking itself to death - no one cares."
He lambasted the leadership saying: "All they have time to do is bring in migrants. And all this was done by the so-called 'president' - 'The Great' Putin."
Despite Russia being among the world’s most ethnically diverse nations with roughly 190 ethnic groups, critics often neglect that the initial drafts for the war in Ukraine disproportionately targeted ethnic minorities, as reported by local activists.
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Studies ongoing suggest Russia's non-Slavic minorities and indigenous peoples suffer heavier losses in the war, misaligned with their national population ratio.
Maria Vyushkova, a Buryat scientist based in the US, discussed with the Moscow Times the grim state of affairs, stating: "The most dire situation is ... with indigenous small-numbered peoples of the north who should be [legally] exempt from military service altogether.
"This is a terrible tragedy that no one is talking about. In one generation, these nations will simply disappear."
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