"The internet is slowing down because of routers, but the American dream will boost demographics": #ShameReview from "NotMoscow"
This week, Russian officials, IT industry representatives, and religious leaders unleashed another round of absurd statements and initiatives. The traditional weekly NeMoskva review features accusations of slow internet speeds against users, justifications for Roskomnadzor's blocking of websites, demographic prescriptions from an Orthodox oligarch, and the persecution of Z-patriots for criticizing the military leadership.
Russians blamed their own home routers for poor internet service.
Citizens themselves are to blame for poor internet connections in Russia. According to experts from the analytics company Vigo, the problem stems from people using old modems and routers at home that operate exclusively in the 2,4 GHz band—the busiest and most interference-ridden segment of the Wi-Fi spectrum. According to the analysts, two-thirds of the country's residents currently have such outdated equipment.
Anton Prokopenko, Product Director at Vigo and Merilo: "For mere mortals, this means this: you used to put up with poor Wi-Fi and, at worst, could switch to a mobile network. Now, you need to improve your Wi-Fi network."
Roskomnadzor praised itself for its ineffective blocking.
During an official meeting with representatives of the Russian IT industry, Roskomnadzor Deputy Head Oleg Terlyakov defended his agency's reputation in an original way. The official effectively admitted that the agency "isn't all that bad," as their blocking isn't 100% effective, and citizens find ways to circumvent the restrictions. He cited the example of the Telegram messenger, which despite formal attempts to block it, continues to be widely used within the country.
"But then what are you worried about if everything is working for everyone?" Terlyakov asked, addressing representatives of the tech sector.
In Yugra, the metropolitan will personally participate in increasing the population.
In the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (KhMAO), officials have found their own way to combat the demographic crisis and strengthen traditional institutions. According to an official agreement signed between the local metropolitan and the regional department of social development, Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansiysk and Surgut will personally baptize every child from large families in Yugra.
Furthermore, mothers with many children will be required to receive free christening kits directly at the maternity hospital upon discharge. Anton Terekhin, Director of the Department of Social Development, called this "an important step that will further strengthen traditional spiritual and moral values in the district."
Orthodox oligarch Malofeev proposed treating the birth rate with the "American dream."
Konstantin Malofeev, founder of the Tsargrad TV channel and Orthodox oligarch, unexpectedly called on the Russian authorities to base their demographic policy on the historical experience of the United States. He believes the Kremlin should emulate American practices during the post-war baby boom.
Malofeev is confident that the high birth rate in the United States in the mid-20th century was due to the suburban culture (single-story suburban housing), the popularization of the classic "American Dream," and the corresponding model of family life, which should be implemented in modern Russia.
Z-blogger and National Bolshevik Mikhail Aksel is on trial for criticizing Shoigu.
Russia's repression machine has reached the ultra-patriotic wing. Mikhail Aksel, a well-known Z-blogger and leader of the Moscow wing of the National Bolsheviks (Nazbols), has been charged with "discrediting" the Russian Armed Forces. The prosecution stemmed from an old repost he made in January 2023, in which national patriots harshly criticized the idea of a Christmas truce with Ukraine. The text of the post called former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu a "cuckold."
Mikhail Aksel, leader of the National Bolsheviks: "They embezzled billions of budget funds, for which there are criminal cases, and I discredited the army? What are we fighting against? Against truth and common sense?"
