Russia-Ukraine SITREP B for 15 MAY 2023 23:59* PDT - Ukraine Air Defense Achieves 100%

Personally, speaking as a layperson, part of the whole Prigozhin saga feels to me like some kind of movie that is playing in Russian and pro-Russian heads. When I am able to separate the "performance" from the horrific tragedy on the ground, I find myself expecting to see Prigozhin thrashing about in a field of dead soldiers screaming "my kingdom for an ATGM!", winning "best actor in a dramatic series" and making an unforgettable exit, after which we would all miss him because, really, nothing can top that in terms of pathos. In that context, what matters are not his empty promises and his contradictory statements, but the power he has to impress a certain narrative in people who follow him. Charisma gives you that privilege. Just today I listened to Russian propagandist Alexander Mercouris, who takes most of his cues from the RMOD and the blog of "Simplicius the Thinker" and had been critical of Prigozhin's latest antics, such as the threat to withdraw from Bakhmut. Well, now he is impressed with Prigozhin's "courage under fire". Although Russia is proving incapable of carrying out complex operations that will change the equation on the front, it can still do a lot of damage by holding the line while launching missiles on Kyiv, so between the dramatic performances and the plumes of smoke, some people are completely mesmerized and reassured that "all is going to plan".

AnaR737

Is this a time when I tell analysts “I told you so” about empty Prigozhin promises to pull out at May 10th? Like you would be literally better off ignoring his promises. Nothing russians say about future has any meaning and probably there with exclusive value to generate publicity. When this pattern of meaningless promises would become apparent to the world? We in Ukraine knew this for a decade. Only actions mean something. Truth does not matter for the russian world. Integrity is not something they can even understand. Please stop seeking those in statements from russian side.

Couldn't publish to Patreon, glitch in their matrix, thanks for understanding