Law, Power, and Justice

Vox Pop Interviews with People on the Street in Moscow (Saturday)  The Moscow Times (6/27/23)

• “Oh, no.”  Young woman walks away hurriedly and immediately.
• “I don’t know.  I don’t have an opinion about it.”  Young man.
• Middle aged man.  “I’m not worried.” Reporter: Is everything under control? “of course. Everything’s great.”
• Older man.  “We have a president.  We’ll support him.”  Reporter: Did you watch Putin’s address?  “No.”  Reporter: Putin said it was a stab in the back.  “Well, fine.  But it’s not the first time, is it?” Reporter: Not the first time?  “Clearly not.” 
• “I don’t really follow politics.  So, I won’t say anything about it.”  Young man.
• Two young men: “As you see there’s no fuss.  Everyone is walking around calmly.”  Reporter:  Everyone is calm?  “In essence, yes.  What do we have to worry about? 
• “I haven’t heard about anything.  I don’t follow the news.”  Young man.
• Two young men.  “What to say? Welcolm..”  Laughter
• Middle aged man.  Reporter: What do you think about Prigozhin?  “ Of course, he’s one of Russia’s field commanders who now decided to take power into his own hands.  For God’s sake, it’s happened so many times (in history), but it always ends in failure.”  Dismissive laugh.
• Middle Aged man: “It’s a big political mystery.  Not even a day has passed.  The situation is unclear. 
• Young man.  “It’s wrong to make any sort of assertion right now since there’s so much information – it’s coming quickly and changing quickly.  Therefore, it’s impossible to make any sort of conclusion.
• Middle aged man.  “I don’t think Progozhin will make it to Moscow. Countermeasures have already been taken based on what I last saw on Telegram.  Kadyrov’s people are encircling him (Prigozhin) from two sides.  And so too are others. 
• “We are observing what’s happening.  Reporter: Even if there’s fighting?  Middle aged man.  “I don’t think it will come to that.  Yes, let’s hope it doesn’t reach that point. 
• Reporter: Are you worried right now.  Middle aged man.  “About Moscow?  I’m a bit worried about Rostov on Don.”
• “Emotions are fine, but the question is what to do with them?” Young woman.  “What can I do right now?  Leave Moscow?”  Reporter: You won’t leave if Wagner enters Moscw? “Well it wouldn’t happen in an instant, it would happen gradually.  I don’t know.  I have a big family.  I can’t just pack up and leave.
• Middle Aged Man.  “They’ll be blown up on the road.”
• “I’m against all kinds of armed mutinies.  But I also want to see justice at some point in my lifetime.  Since I was born in 1985, there has been very little justice.”  “We honestly need justice, guys.  The people on the top are really greedy.  Our country has lived within this system for many years.  And life doesn’t get any better.  Prices are rising, but prices aren’t even the problem.  The problem is how the government treats people. 
• Young man, looks like student.  “It reminds me of 1917.”  “Most Russians probably think Prigozhin is a good person a patriot and so on.”  Reporter: So Russians are the problem?  “No.  It’s the government.  It supported Prigozhin.  It supported Prigozhin and gave him everything he has, and now the chickens have come home to roost.”
• Young woman.  “ I don’t think I have much respect for Prigozhin after this revolt.  I don’t think this should be happening.  If he’s protecting Russia then why is he doing this?”  Reporter: You don’t support his plan to march on Moscow?  “No I don’t.  For me, the situation is terrifying and it’s unclear what to expect. 
• Two young men.  Reporter: Why has Prigozhin come to Moscow?  “To change the leadership in the Defense Ministry.”  Reporter: Are you worried?  “No, I’m not worried.  I don’t think he’ll be able to reach Moscow.”  Reporter: Do you like Prigozhin?  “(sighs)  He’s a controversial character as if everyone else in the government.”
• Three young men.  “No comment.”  Reporter: Why  “I think it’s for the best given the current situation.”  Reporter: Are you afraid of Prigozhin?  “No, I’m not.  Other young man.  “They are saying he’s paused to think about.  So there’s nothing more to think about.  He’s negotiating some deal.  Reporter: What kind of deal?  “Beats me.”  Nervous laughter.