"A Boy's Word" and Mobilization: Why Authorities Deny Rumors, and People Don't Believe Them
Dmitry Medvedev has once again stated that there are no plans for mobilization in Russia. Over the past month, Peskov, Nebenzya, and Deputy Gurulev have also denied rumors of mobilization. Nevertheless, the public remains skeptical—and, judging by documents on the reserved lists, not without reason.
The fourth denial of mobilization in a month
"There are no plans for mobilization in our country!" Dmitry Medvedev stated bluntly at the New Media festival. He said the war-torn country had enough of those who had signed contracts. Exactly a month ago, journalists recalled, Medvedev had already called persistent rumors about mobilization a "blizzard" and a "false provocation."
Medvedev is far from the first to say this. On Tuesday, Putin's press secretary, Peskov, dismissed reports of mobilization preparations as a hoax. A week ago, so did Permanent Representative to the UN Nebenzya. And on August 10, so did State Duma deputy and Lieutenant General Gurulev.
In another country, one such authoritative statement would be enough to reduce tension, but here, for some reason, the population under its jurisdiction doesn’t believe it.
"Like a Man": Lavrov's Quote of the Day
This must be offensive. Especially considering another statement he made that same day. "We're used to doing things in a 'noble' way, or a 'manly' way. It's essentially the same thing," Foreign Minister Lavrov said in an interview with RBC today, commenting on the specifics of Russian foreign policy.
The quote of the day caused a strong reaction on social media.
"As they say, thanks for your candor. It remains only to remind you that the 'lads''''''s nobility extends exclusively to other ''lads'' like themselves. ''The lads'' have no obligations to any kind of ''chushpans'' or ''suckers,'' political scientist Abbas Gallyamov muses on his channel.
Lists with reservations from mobilization
Meanwhile, the VChK-OGPU channel reported today that major Russian companies have been required to compile lists of employees exempt from mobilization. They also posted screenshots of documents bearing the Evraz logo. Such is the sign of the times.
