DON'T MENTION THE WAR!
According to a new poll by the Razumkov Center (h/t to Paul Goble at Window on Eurasia for flagging), a majority of Ukrainians believe they are at war with Russia.
According to the poll, 57 percent of Ukrainians believe the conflict in Donbas is a war with Russia. Just 13 percent believe the Kremlin line that it is a civil war among Ukrainians and even fewer, 9.9 percent, believe it is a protest against the Kyiv authorities.
A large majority -- 64.6 percent -- say either Russia or ousted pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych are to blame for the conflict (40.4 percent say Russia, 24.2 percent say Yanukovych). Just 14 percent blame the authorities in Kyiv.
When all is said and done, Russia may well succeed in creating a frozen conflict (and a de facto protectorate) in Donbas. But it appears Moscow has lost the rest of Ukraine -- and lost it decisively.
ANOTHER SCHOLAR IN TROUBLE FOR CRITICIZING KREMLIN
Sergei Aleksashenko, director of macroeconomic research at Moscow's Higher School of Economics, say he's been sacked over his criticism of Kremlin economic policy.
"Some people do not like what I wrte, what I do, and where I live," Aleksashenko, who is currently interning at Georgetown University, wrote in a letter announcing his departure. "I have no right to endaner friends and colleagues."
Read the whole story (in Russian) on Newsru.com here.
PROPPING UP THE RUBLE IS GETTING EXPENSIVE
DEMONSTRATION AND COUNTER-DEMONSTRATION
RFE/RL's Russian Service has produced this video of a demonstration in support of those imprisoned in the Bolotnaya case. Pro-Kremlin counter demonstrators, some dressed as NATO troops, some wearing St. George ribbons, and one dressed as Uncle Sam, harass them.
PUTIN, PUTIN, GO AWAY
On The Twitter, Ilya Yashin reminds us of a stunt he pulled two years ago.
The tweet reads: Today is Putin's birthday. We expressed our wish for him two years ago.
The sign (in yellow) behind the Kremlin reads: "Putin Go Away."
IS HE GOING TO TRY TO BAN UNSANCTIONED TWEETING?
REMEMBERING ANNA POLITKOVSKAYA
Eight years ago today, investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya was slain in Moscow. Here's a selection of tweets in her memory. Not enough to do her justice, of course. There are many more at the hashtags #ЦветыАнне & #Politkovskaja
PUTIN DOCUMENTARY (IN FRENCH)
French journalist Nicolas Tonev's documentary on Putin:
THE LOWER-VOLGA PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC?
If this happened in Ukraine, the Kremlin would probably say it was a freedom fighter. But since it happened in Astrakhan, Russia, it's a criminal case.
From RFE/RL's News Desk:
HACKER DECLARES 'INDEPENDENCE' ON RUSSIAN REGION'S WEBSITE
Police in Russia's southern Astrakhan region are investigating a hacker who broke into of the regional parliament’s website and declared independence from the Russian Federation.
The announcement remained on the website for at least two hours on October 7.
It claimed the Astrakhan region has declared independence from Russia and is now called the Lower-Volga People's Republic.
The post claimed it was from a so-called "Extraordinary Committee" consisting of the regional parliament's chairman, the regional governor, the chief of regional security, and a former leader of pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, Igor Strelkov.
The hacker appeared to be calling attention to Russian laws against public calls for separatism at a time when the Kremlin supports what it calls "a right for self-determination" for pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine.
(Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax)
CHILDREN SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PUTIN
Get ready for a lot of stuff like this today...