Putin backs state of emergency in Arctic region over fuel spill in river

[Jay McKinsey + 1,490]

Vlad doesn't look too happy.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-pollution/putin-backs-state-of-emergency-in-arctic-region-over-fuel-spill-in-river-idUSKBN23A2HL

Edited June 3, 2020 by Jay McKinsey

[markslawson + 1,058]

1 hour ago, Jay McKinsey said:

Vlad doesn't look too happy.

The leak is to be regretted of course. I have no comment to make on it. But the more astonishing part, as a black comedy farce I suppose is this.. "Putin said he was shocked to find out local authorities had only learned of the incident from social media two days after it happened".

As his government has sanctioned assassinations against otherwise harmless critics living in other countries and even journalists who have criticised the regime he has only himself to blame. Now no one wants to be the one passing on any news that might reflect badly on the regime, for fear that government operatives skilled in "wet work" will come calling. Bad oil leaks don't get reported.

Edited June 4, 2020 by markslawson
clarification

[Tomasz + 1,608]

There are quite a few press titles critical of Putin in Russia. You have probably never read, for example, Kommersant, the largest liberal newspaper in this country.

Daily you can read critical articles from various points of view - communist one in Moscow  Komsomolec liberal in Kommersant, governmental in Russian Gazeta.

Rather, TV stations are propaganda.

Edited June 4, 2020 by Tomasz

[markslawson + 1,058]

23 hours ago, Tomasz said:

here are quite a few press titles critical of Putin in Russia. You have probably never read, for example, Kommersant, the largest liberal newspaper in this country.

I'm sure that's so - but there is a difference between the muted criticism of such publications, which would not dare step over certain lines, and freedom of speech. In full freedom of speech you would not be able to move for journalists at the spill.. Putin would have heard about it within hours of it happening..