RIP RUSSIA | 1991-2022 Russia's History Through My Eyes
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- čas přidán 24. 06. 2024
- I share the history of the country that started in August 1991 and ended in 2022. RIP RUSSIA, MY LOVE.
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INSIDE RUSSIA LETTERS TO KING living in moscow russia beyond russia explained yeah russia different russia truth about russia russian plus minimal girl RIP RUSSIA | 1991-2022 Russia's History Through My Eyes life in russia after sanctions
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i was 11 as my parents take me to a "holiday" to Europe (they dont told me the truth before). when we arrived -- we took the train, endlessly, I realized after weeks that we didn't go back. that was in 1992. I was unhappy because I could only speak russian. Moscow was my city, my childhood. For me, the dreary was normal, the little we had. I am deeply sad that russia never found a real democracy. But with people like you - you are a game changer in Russia. keep up the good work! 👍
Thank you my dear Russian )
Thanks for sharing . Keep safe🙏
@@INSIDERUSSIA did you lives there now mr.
Is it you in the photo?
For me, never having lived in Russia, Russia is the language, literature, culture, food and many people I've met.
Fond memory#1) 1991 Berlin Germany: with all 5 words I knew of German I was trying to get info at train station to get to the airport to get back to a meeting in Hannover. Three Russian soldiers passing by commented on the ignorant American. To which I said "правда но я говорю по русски". They laughed and one of them who spoke German well helped me out. We had a few beers until it was time for their train. I hope those guys made it well through the chaos years
2) same trip: when I needed a cab to get to the airport there was a minor dispute way beyond my German ability. So I tried English=> fail. So I tried Russian => fail but she got on the radio and a few minutes later another cab pulled up with a driver who spoke Russian and English. We solved the problem in a few sentences. I'll never forget the look of disbelief on his face that he was speaking Russian to an American (as if it was my fault they didn't send an English speaker)
I am 59. I remember waking to the radio news in 1991. I was floored. So much hope then...
Me too! I remember that day. that was a rise of the new era for us )
I remember too. It seemed like a miracle, didn't it. We were so happy for the Russian people.
All my life (born 1962!) The USSR and our reactions to it dominated our politics, and to some extent our lives, if you really think about it. Then on a sunny morning my clock radio wakes me saying "The Soviet Union is dissolved"....Whaaaaat? 😱😮😶 Just like, gone????? I was literally stunned. The phrase "New World Order" was originally intended to imply possibilities, not sinister schemes. Didn't last long....😞
Please don't get any trouble from what you're posting, We appreciate every stream you make but you have to be careful. this was a great insight and I appreciate you making these videos. keep the content going but be safe. big love from the UK.
Thank you!
Your work is great 👍 more is needed in Russia to stop this madness. But be careful and please stay safe 🙏 🇬🇧 🇷🇺
Great and important content. Especially the fact that honest business exists and that people just want working society like everyhere. And that everything wasnt criminal. Western media is much to blaim with this conseption among us. Important content for future when relations will have to be rebuild. Causality, how things went south step by step, needs to be understood thoroughly.. Helps the process. Всего хорошего из Финляндии!
I agree, fantastic content for which I’m personally very grateful, but please watch your back 🇬🇧❤️
Thanks, but 1st amendment on this side of the pond
Thank you for sharing your amazing story. My father was an attorney from the US who attended a graduate exchange program in Moscow at the Institute of State and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1995, and your experience added some rich detail to the stories he told me of his time there. He met and married my stepmother and had my brother, who are both now Americans. My stepmother still longs for the same Russia that your heart longs for now. My father's fondest Russia experience was New Years Eve 2000 in Red Square. He had traveled the world and seen many countries but I think that experience at the turn of the century in Moscow was his most moving and lasting experience of life. He spoke often of the feeling of hope and joy that spread through the many thousands of people there, and the feeling of a full and connected world, with no borders, boundaries or hate on that day. He died in 2019, and though I miss him terribly, in some ways I am thankful that he does not have to see what is happening to the world now. Much love to you Konstantin, stay well, and thank you for spreading your message of love and hope.
Thank you! You have a fantastic story
When I was a small child and started school (aged 5) my first friend (we were friends for several years) was a Ukrainian girl called Maria. We thought she was really special because she got to have an extra day off school for Orthodox Christmas. When I was a bit older, so I could understand more, I realised that her parents were pretty traumatised, especially her father, although he had a job. I don't know how they came to be in UK or what had happened to them, but I knew very early on that they hated Russians and that they had escaped. Maria and her brother integrated easily into the UK and were like any other young people growing up. But her parents never really integrated. They kept themselves to themselves mostly and Maria's mum didn't have much English. But my mum always spoke to her if she saw her at the local shops. She kept a beautifully clean house with lots of lace around. Looking back they seemed to live in a permanent daze. They didn't want to be in the UK I don't think. They wanted to go home. But they could not.
And then Russia was born and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief. For the first time in my life I wasn't frightened of Russia for a couple of decades. Things were going well. I thought they were going to join us in the west. Then Mr P started worrying me again, bit by bit. I think the poisoning of Alexander Litvenyenko in London with Polonium was the start of the return of the fear.
Strangely, now, despite what's going on, I'm not afraid of Russia anymore. I'm very angry with it as a country and with the people who support this senseless violence and murder, but I'm not afraid even though it could destroy the world. I've seen the good side of Russia through people like you Konstantin and a few other bloggers I follow. And I have friends who have done work in Russia and have travelled there. Now I realise the only problem with the country is the propaganda and the people in charge. But change will come, nothing stays the same forever. Keep going. One day at a time and if your company fails in the end (I hope it doesn't) you have easily transferable skills to whichever country you fancy living in for a while. I don't think you are depressed. I think you are grieving for your country and that's perfectly understandable. It will get easier, you will understand that you are already doing a lot. You are opening up dialogue with people all over the world. You are part of the solution, you are not part of the problem.
thank you thank you thank you
"But my mum always spoke to her if she saw her at the local shops. She kept a beautifully clean house with lots of lace around. Looking back they seemed to live in a permanent daze. They didn't want to be in the UK I don't think. They wanted to go home. But they could not." - The story of so many people, and good of you to write about it. Also, it's very nice your mother made that extra little effort, I'm sure it meant a lot.
Good, thoughtful post 👍
Konstantin, I really admire your courage to speak the truth yet I fear for your safety for doing so. May God bless you!!
In 1991 I visit Vilnius, Lithuania, driving with my car from Norway. When I crossed the border from Belarus to Lithuania, along the road everyone gave me the V-sign for Victory. Because I was driving a Western car, people were so happy to see me, to see foreigners in their country. After they were liberated from Sovjet, I could feel the new happiness among the people. 20 years later I came back and what I saw was a modern democracy, just like my own country Norway. I was hoping Russia would turn into the same, but instead it's RIP. Take care.
In 1991, we had two new students from Russia. One helped me in chemistry class. The other became good friend. Both were here to get away from mob, sex trafficking. I was horrified to think these young high school girls were being eploited in such a way. My friend Nadia spoke no English that first year but by second year she understood English well enough and spoke some. By graduation four years later, she was like everyone else.
I liked the video. But I don't think that the "golden years" were quite so different from the decline that followed them. Chechnya and, probably more tellingly, Georgia, happened during that time.
So, I don't think it was such a sudden change. The seeds of the rot were there since the beginning.
they were very different to me
@@INSIDERUSSIA fair enough. It's your video and your lived experience. I respect that. But, in my opinion, the prosperity enjoyed by civil society in that time was just a happy accident, not the goal. The real goal was always the same as it is now. They just couldn't quite implement it yet.
@@zanizone3617 I think it comes down to the way how you boil a frog. Turn the heat too quick it jumps away, do it slowly the frog won't notice until its too late.
Although, at higher levels, I think there where conflicting ideas in how to shape russia since the demise of the USSR.
Most of the current active generals and government officials are still from the USSR days I believe (correct me or append if I'm wrong)
So the desire to go back to those days might still live
You have some parallels, but they were vastly different times for the individual person. You could also draw parallels to what was happening in the US during the same time period if you really want to. So I think to say it was the same is incorrect.
Exactly the right point
I think saying that the west and Ukraine are responsible for this outcome is missing the point entirely. Ukraine will and should decide their own future. If they wanted to be a democracy and not to be under Russia Influence anymore they can. Nobody has worked harder in favor of the west than Putin and this war and the invasion in 2014 as well. You can't assume Russia has any kind of right to do what I'd did and not expect countries to move away from it. No European country was a threat to Russia. Russia invaded multiple countries in Europe however including former USSR States, so its understandable everyone wants protection and wants less ties with Moscow. If there's any responsability from the west is that we didn't cut ties sooner, starting with the energy sector.... But I suppose Russia also invaded Ukraine to prevent the country from being an energy supplier to Europe.
Yes, Russia invaded Crimea in 2014 and started direct military action in Donbas in 2015. Russia is the only guilty of that. They wanted to negotiate legalising the lands they invaded, so they could get what they took. It's crazy to claim that's OK. How about we invade Kaliningrad and then negotiate Russia hands it over, is that good?
To quote the author: those were all stepping stones as well.
@@piotrb4240 We wouldn't need to we could just take it our militaries are more advanced.
Russia invaded Ukraine ti prevent it from becoming a NATO member to which Zellensky has been pushing hard to become one.
@@tessmartinez9446For Ukraine to join NATO, there are well stated rules. They would probably never fulfill those criteria in the century.
@@tessmartinez9446 so regret if Ukraine wants to be a member of NATO. It's a defensive alliance and no threat to Russia.
Greetings from neighbor (Finland). I'm commenting the oil and gas -video. When I saw the news about only paying in rubles for gas and oil - I suddenly felt really horrified for Russians. I was planning to visit St. Petersburg after all the Corona situation happening, but now I feel that I will not be able to do that in my lifetime. That is very sad, especially for average people in Russia.
u mean gas price in russia is too high?
You mentioned the mafia: As a german I see many parallels to what has happened here from 1922 to 1945: my late father was born in 1922 and told me much about this time. Hitler was basically some kind of mafia boss and so to me seems to be Putin nowadays.
And so too, Trump in my country.
@@janicepalesch9221 Nah .
@@marshal487 oh yes
@@marshal487 Janice is right
@@marshal487 1000% he is… better wants to be but Democracy keeps him back
“Biggest, richest, THE BEST” Russia is a state of mind…Besides, you’re portraying all of Russia as Moscow, while beyond Moscow, St Petersburg and literally a couple other cities, people continued and will continue to live in poverty, social pathology and everlasting depression. It’s the vast majority of Russians!
I've watched a couple of videos on the Vasya In The Hay channel which highlight what life is like for at least some people outside the major cities of Russia. It's damn grim. The one I saw yesterday was of a young man who lives in a village about 300 km (200 miles) east of Moscow. Seeing the ramshackle, filthy hovel he shares with his parents which doesn't even have running water made me better understand why many guys from these desperately impoverished areas sign up with the Russian army. It also helps to explain the rampant looting of Russian troops in Ukraine.
Not true. Or not entirely true. I spent a great deal of time outside of Moscow. Different but other areas were rich at rich times too
I watch him too. There are different people agreed
@@biscaynediver A lot of it also has to do with the amount of control that officers and NCOs maintain over their men. From other videos I have seen dealing with Russian soldiers talking about their officers, there is little discipline and the officers don't exercise control over their men.
@@biscaynediver Yes, like the infamous Russian rape of Berlin. That should be reported on more, we've heard a billion times about the Nazi's, but the Soviet soldiers were literally beasts. Of course among them were Slavic Russians, Jews, and Russians that are ethnically Mongol etc, and their minister of propaganda literally told them to 'rape the German pride out of them'! I've read accounts of Russians gang raping a woman so brutally they broke her back, of horrific torture and rape, stories, (verified) that are too much to mention, all on innocent women. As innocent as any Russian woman living in Russia now, and to say elsewise is hypocrisy. Also, I'm sure many Ukrainians have been subject to absolute brutality.
Step by step - little by little - that is how Democracy is being eroded here in the USA also. It's terrifying when I hear you explaining how it happened in Russia. Stay safe.
Australia has a "Stepping Stone " government too,, and
we are being degraded very quickly.
Many, many places in our USA are requiring PERMITS to protest.
Look to Canada , and what happened in the Trucker protest, and our Prime Minister Trudeau invoking the Emergency Act.
Your enemy is the oilmen.
Sadly, you're absolutely right!
Thought-provoking video. Keep your wits about you, and keep your family safe. My thoughts are with you in the USA.
Thank you John ❤️
It's JOOOOOOHN CEEEEEEEEEEENA!!!! xD
Do you enjoy the Ice? ^^
(Sry I couldn't resist xD)
Thank you Konstantin for great insight about Russia in previous 30 years. I watched your videos regularly for the last two months and hope people like you will prevail and all this madness will be stopped. Regards from Croatia and stay safe.
Thank you friend! I hope about that too!
He should be president.
Hi Konstantin
I do quietly watch your streams and I enjoy them. It keeps me believing that there still are decent people where you live. I think that you missed three important events that happened in modern Russia history that greatly added to the current situation. It is what happened in Chechnya, Georgia and finally Crimea. All not opposed strong enough but noticed by the West. It has given your governing authority false indication that they can go all the way which they went recently. I think that was also the warning sign to the citizens of Russia about which direction the country is heading. As you said, you guys were excited about better living standards and majority missed the above early warning signs, fair enough. I only wrote this because I think it is important and should not be removed from consideration.
Other than that it is a great first hand summary. Keep doing the interesting streaming you do.
Thanks,
Michal.
I was born in march of '91 in Romania and even though I was a child back then, I can identify with everything you are describing. Growing up, all my friends had parents working abroad. At school, the cool kids were the sons of enterprise owners. Life was good and people thrived. Yes, there were "oligarchs" that got rich over night but they couldn't escape justice. Thankfully, by the time the old romanian communists tried to take back power by passing corrupt legislation... through some miracle I still don't understand, people got out on the streets and stopped them, in 2018. Maybe they feared getting shot in the head, like Ceausescu. We still haven't gotten rid of them completely, but we're on it.
I still see russians as european brothers. You can't go anywhere in our shared history without sumbling upon russian authors, philosophers and artists. Russia's place is in the EU and in NATO, but goddamit the people of Russia have to rise up. Fingers crossed.
Thank you thank you
❤️K
I was in Romania during Ceausescu's reign. I saw how horrible the situation was, electricity for two hours a day, same for hot water, no food on the shelves in the markets. Everyone we spoke to was immediately taken into custody by the police and questioned afterward. I was so glad when the Romanians rose up and got rid of Ceausescu. I have written this on many young Russian video makers sites, that if Romanians could do it, Russians could too, if they organized. I agree with what you've said.
Sorry but NATO doesnt want Russia from the very start.
Russia has proven it cannot be trusted as an ally to NATO thus will never be part of NATO. Ukraine, yes, Russia, no. Personally I feel Russian owned businesses and properties in the west will be seized, sold and the wealth distributed to Ukraine to rebuild and re-equip as a western military powerhouse. Russia is in for decades of depletion and pain and rightfully so.
Russias place is with the EU? as in the 4th Reich and the neoh nasis ?? .. tfoh at0m waf3n shill .. Russias place is Europe and Asia and it will rebond with the Americas. Why do you think the UK left the EU?
Looks like emotions in Russia in 1991 were so similar to other ex USSR states such like Baltic states, Poland, Czhech republic, and then the economic difficulties of 90s were pretty similar everywhere - new laws, rampant crime, yet rapid development and growth - a truly dynamic decade of real growth of statehoods. As Lithuanian I just can't understand why at some point Russia turned around and decided to go back where it came from.
As a Russia I do not understand either
dont forget that they created that state dependent slave for 70 years -> 5 generations of people who were in every detail of their life (education, work, retirement, entertaiment, sport ... everything) dependent on state and every initiative was punished. when the slave is freed he simply dreams about his master daily bowl.
we in soviet satellites had it just for 40 years (2/3 generations) + we still stayed in contact with free world -> we could see, that in free world even the economical situation for poor people is much better than in soviet block - not sure if the people behind ural have this knowledge
It was the same in Bulgaria in the 90’s.
First of all, you Lithuanians were under Communist rule less than us Russians and didn't forget completely how capitalism works.
Second, your mentality is more Europian. Maybe, it has to do with religion as Orthodox Christianity has some dogmats which are hostile to freedom and entrepreneurship.
Because a group of people decided they could make far more personal wealth by going back to a pseudo version of the old days. Anyone who doesn't like it vanishes.
My question is how the former Soviet states Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Lituania, Latvia, and Estonia joined the West and why Russia didn't do any effort to join at least the European Union. All kinds of western businesses were already located in Russia and Europe depended on Russian energy.
As long as there are Russians like you, there's a glimmer of hope for the future.
the guy is a straight up imperialist. The war is happening because even "non-putinists" like him celebrate the annexation of Crimea
It's good to see some Russians standing up to this massacre in Ukraine. I was starting to lose faith in the Russian people and in particular the barbarity and lack of humanity of the Russian army.
How much blood has been spilt over the course of history by dictators who belive in their own minds that they are the masters of the destiny of others and this planet which is our home.
so true...
It's not the people it's the politicians
@@Mike__james well, in a democracy, people vote. If they get crooked politicians, they share the responsibility. Not sure the US are going to stay a democracy either in the foreseeable future.
Is it for you to say СNN? According to the UN report, as of May 6, 3,300 civilians died in Ukraine. This is incomparable with 1,000,000 dead Iraqis and 500,000 Libyans
@@Anonymous-qj3sf Well said alot of Americans think the same way. Bullshit wars the US gets into and kills alot if people but it's ok because it's the Americans
His analysis failed to mention some important and decisive events, in order to understand what brought us here; for example what happened in the past in Chechnya and Georgia.
the real past or what you see on russian tv / official history books ?...lol
@@harryseldom6472 I'm talking about HISTORICAL FACTS and not the falsified, amputated, manipulated and spread version of history that the Russian rulers insist on propagating through their official channels. For example the PACT between HITLER's NAZI Germany and STALIN's USSR before the beginning of WW2, only in 1985 was it officially recognized and made public by Moscow... until then it was another "lie" of the West LOL
@@quintatorneiro3074 so? how does that relate to Chechnya and Georgia and the video above? Sorry not sure where you live but that "secret pact" between russia and Hitler you refer to was known for decades and taught in school throughout Europe way before 1985...
@@harryseldom6472 I replied to you, when I thought I was replying to another comment :) Sorry
As for the PACT, that's what I said; all of us in the West knew and studied in school; while the Soviet people until 1985 lived without knowing about it and even today there are many Russians who are still unaware of it, since it was publicly assumed in 1985, but still not remembered, for example on the 9th of May :)
@@quintatorneiro3074 no worries man, I did ask myself "hey we seem to be on the same side here..." :-) I totally get what you mean, there is a truly eye opening video from Operator Starsky on why the russians took over Chernobyl and how their soldiers dug trenches around it, basically total ignorance (russia doesn't talk about its failures) on where they were and blatant disrespect for life from their commanders hiding behind the russian states lies ... and THAT is why they will NEVER win...
Im 52 from the UK and remember it all very well, Mikhail Gorbachev is and will always be my true hero, I know there was a coup on his leadsership, but what that man did to try to unite the world was more than any other leader has ever done, he is a great man.
Hi Konstantin! I don't know if you'd understand what a whopping 180 my views did when it comes to Russia in the 90s. I remember landing in Moscow in the early 80s just for refueling (we were on our way to Italy). I was just a kid and when I got thirsty while waiting in the terminal, my mom sent me off to buy my own orange juice. I got to the counter and there were two people behind said counter. They had on the thick, dark military coat and furry hats with the CCCP emblem in the center. I kept saying "Excuse me", but they ignored me without smiling. They coldly stared at me and I walked off without my orange juice. That was the first time I became aware of a country called the Soviet Union. The next time I became aware of the Soviet Union was in 1984, when my schoolmate and his 17 year old sister died when Korean Airlines 007 was shot down. So you see, I was terrified of the Soviet Union. But ever since Russia became the country you have grown to love, my impression changed over the years, and in the late 1990s to 2000, I really wanted to visit Russia and experience the culture. But I got married, moved to the United States, and I never got the chance to go. I really hope I can visit one day when the Golden-Age Russia you love returns...
Hey, USM! I have a friend who teaches there.
Thank you so much for telling us your story, what you witnessed, and how you understand it. The perspective is exceedingly valuable.
Hooray! My alma matter )
As an 80's kid I grew up fearing the USSR, watched the wall fall, grew to be curious about Russia and the former Republics, and now live in a former Republic. Seeing what has happened to Russia and its people and Ukraine especially is crushing.
Thank you ❤️
As someone who regularly traveled to Russia, along with many of the other ex Soviet countries, during the first 7 years of the 90s, I was a New Zealander based in UK, your description of the period directly relates to how I experienced it. Though I would come across some people that missed the Soviet times where you were looked after from cradle to grave. Another comment that was made to me was “we are now democratic, why are we not rich!” There was often a misunderstanding on how the capitalist system worked.
Today, or before February 24th, one of the main problems with the economy is that about 116 oligarchs control a huge percentage of total economy.
Stay safe.
We truly appreciate what you’re doing. As much as we hear about life in Russia from our external news sources, nothing compares to the experiences of someone who lives that life everyday!
Thank you and be safe!
Thank you for this. I didn't really know much of this, and it especially good to hear it explained by someone who lived it, but also has the perspective of having lived outside the country. I hope you will be safe. People like you will be so needed in Russia, if things ever get better, and to help things get better....Your description of the new Russia, the new normal, sounds like what is happening to my country. Loss of old standards of acceptable behavior, morals, accountability, etc. It's terrifying.
thank you Nancy!
Profound change over a short time, takes time master. You were so close to getting it right. Old guard in a new world never bodes well.
Ohhh
@Inside Russia, and I'm talking about the old guard passing the torch by appointing a successor. Free elections can be robust, contentious and loud, but it takes practice. When all you get is old guard, this is the result: a return to pre-1991. George Washington set the standard for us in our first election after throwing out the British.
@@jmorin6620 Would that be the election where most states had the rule that only white men could vote, and in many of those states those white men could only vote if they owned property ?
Bet Washington's own plantation "workers" and the indigenous people were happy about that.
I remember that... I was 16 at the Time. I especially remember the song by Scorpions (a German band) "Wind of Change". They wrote that song to commemorate the Fall of the Berlin wall. That song left a long lasting impression on me.
That song is still popular in Russia. Walking the Moskva down Gorki park listening to the wind of change!
@@INSIDERUSSIA Did you ever think
That we could be so close, like brothers.
Love the improved Audio & the editing with pictures in between. Keep up the good work! Love to you and your family from a Romanian in Arizona, US.
This was very interesting, especially hearing about the 1990's and 2000's, about how Russian society was and how it felt living there. Even though I personally think some law and order is the way to go, I very much understand the feelings you had during those years. Most documentaries I've seen about the collapse of the Soviet Union have mostly spoken about those chaotic years with negativity, concentrating on all the failed opportunities. That's why your perspective was so refreshing --- you didn't contradict that view but you offered an alternative grassroots viewpoint. I feel like I understand this a little bit more now, thanks!
In the West, trust in government and institutions used to be quite high, so most people would appreciate the benefits of greater government control and feel it outweighed the downsides. The implicit social contact felt like a good deal.
A lot has changed in 20 years. While we haven't had the dramatic fall into open authoritarianism that Russia has had, certainly democracy has backslid and trust in government and institutions has gone out of the window. I certainly would prefer less government control and the ability to live by my wits right now.
@@rdrrr I think you're not alone in that. Unfortunately, the principle of democracy requires an amount of trust in one's institutions for it to work, and a lapse in trust only benefits the authoritarians and populists who would take advantage. Maintenance of the integrity of western institutions (and values) has clearly been lacking. Hopefully, enough people see this and can help coax things in the right direction. That struggle will always be a part of having a democracy I suppose.
@@Bonko78 It's a vicious circle. Lack of trust in institutions empowers authoritarians and populists, who engender corruption that further erodes trust in institutions.
I tell you, watching this makes me appreciate the freedom I have living in America. The content of this video is very fascinating. If you wrote a book about those years I would buy it. Most important, I feel any American would be friends with Russian people, who in reality are humans beings just trying to get ahead and live in this world with freedom. It is the Government that is the problem. I appreciate your video's and they are a educational as well. I wish Russia and American could be friends and could work together to be prosperous. Both countries could be so rich working together. The world could benefit.
Are you serious? U.S is going through the same thing. It’s almost unlivable
From an American of a similar age, I send you much love and respect in these trying times. Please stay safe. I hope one day both out countries can fix our problems and unite for the betterment of the people throughout the world. Peace and happiness to all.
Thank you friend! ❤️
God bless you Konstantin!!!🙏 Stay safe bro!💪 Greetings from Romania✌👋
Thank you Tudor ❤️
My son loves Russia and it's people. He studied Russian at University and spent a summer in Moscow. It hurts us to see Russia struggling when it has such greatness in it's culture, history, people. I don't know what needs to happen beyond respecting other nations' sovereign right to self-determination. Ukraine has the right to make their own mistakes and find their own way. These are tough times. And I know that the US is also suffering through our own crisis. All people need real leaders who care more about what's best for the world than what is best for their own power. I know that violence is only a solution to leaders who have no ideas, no vision. Isaac Asimov said that violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Look to your people. This is where greatness is. Don't give in to the despair that sometimes overwhelms your souls. We all need to be brave enough to learn from our mistakes, to correct them. That is real courage. Russia is not over. But Russia must evolve. The world wants a healthy Russia. Thoughtful people like you are Russia's hope. I would give one last request. Russia's women need to have a greater voice. They are courageous, too. Let them be your equal partners. Remember the Night Witches and their courage.
I like very much your comments. It's deep and true to its innermost core. Yes, its true. Violence is the refuge of those incompetent. God bless you.
So no, Ukraine did not have the right to either 1. Break the free trade agreement with Russia (look how long it took for Brexit to happen). 2. To threaten cancelling the lease of Crimea naval base lease. 3. To join NATO while threatening it will get Crimea back... I can continue. They overplayed their hand, no country exists in a vacuum and does as it pleases, especially when bordering a more powerful adversary.
Ukraine didn’t do any mistakes,don’t listen to Russian propaganda
Thank you for the candid and straightforward description of life for you and many more of your countrymen.
I worry for your safety. I know you said you feel like you aren't doing enough, but just speaking honestly seems like a brave and selfless act on its own. I am a little bit older (4 yrs) and am glued to the news daily. It's tragic for both Ukraine and Russia. The thought of being a young man on his way to work or at work, school etc and being snatched up by govt thugs and under threat of prison or even death, forced into military conscription. It sounds like these young men were given little if any information (mostly untrue) a little bit of training then off to the front lines!?
My heart hurts for all common everyday Russians. We know you had NO hand in Putin's demented plans, and at least for myself, and many others my age hold NO ill will. God bless you and stay safe from WA state USA. 🙏😞💕
thank you!
It sounds like you're beginning to experience some grief for the Russia you loved so much. I too am grieving for the America I grew up in and, if I'm honest, took for granted in many ways. I feel your pain.
I was a young adult then. I distinctly remember the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It's a shame the West did not go in there and try to offer help and stabilize the country. Because it was like anarchy and the criminals took over the country. Businesses and countries should have offered more help. The whole world would be in a different place right now.
The West tried, but Russia is Russia. Don't blame the West for their own failure. The West did not elect Putler, Russians did. Read Russian history, you will understand why Russia is like this right know.
Thanks for the history lesson, I’m of a similar vintage but didn’t know all of that. Our school went on a trip to your country in 1990. It’s just so sad to see what’s happening now. I’ve had to learn a few words of Russian to help children who have escaped for their lives to my country. They speak Russian, yet they were not safe. The children look startled if they hear an ambulance and track planes and helicopters that fly overhead with their eyes, meanwhile our natives continue playing and don’t notice a thing. We know there is only one who is overall responsible and it’s shocking how normal civilians have to explain that they have no part in it. You take a big risk calling them out on it, however, for evil to triumph good men must do nothing. Thanks for doing what you can, considering the circumstances.
And I think the "doing nothing" is starting to get old. Why is there not more civil disobedience? Yes they arrest people but if the Russian people want to get out of the new Iron Curtain, it's going to have to start somewhere. If not, they'll be cut off from the rest of the world for IDK how long. Revolution is not simple but it's going to have to happen in some form or Russians will lose their country.
I knew all of this history well, as I also have been moderately well read in Russian, Soviet, Central Asian and Ukrainian and Caucuses history. But hearing the personal experience from the uniquely Russian standpoint is fascinating. And I believe that the powers of good in Russia will yet again overcome the powers of darkness and greed. Keep doing what you’re doing, but stay safe. The world needs to hear your side.
Only 12 thumbs up short from 10000! One of the greatest videos you have made. Thank you very much for sharing this with us.
Thank you ❤️ I like this video too
Just watched this in its entirety and even rewinding to hear certain parts again. Your explanation on Russia's history was so interesting, theres was so much I never knew. I felt like I was sat in your room drinking tea with you while you spoke. Well done
I was so young when the USSR collapsed that I didn't comprehend or understand any of it. It is amazing to see from your perspective what happened and how things have quickly changed over the last 20 years to get to where we are today. Thanks for giving me an understanding of how things have changed and what happened. I look forward to getting more knowledge and understanding.
Mr Gorbachev is considered a HERO around the world, still today !!!
I admire Mr Gorbachev greatly !!!
I remember the excitement, and the trepidation, at the same time !!! Little did I understand, the corruption that was underlying Russian society, at the time !!!
Nevertheless, it was exciting, Konstantin !!!
Thank you my friend, for yet another marvellous video, you are talented in presenting pictures of your beautiful country !!!
God bless Russia and it's people !!!
I look forward to your next video !!!
Kind regards from AUSTRALIA, Konstantin !!!
SLAVA RUSSIA, SLAVA UKRAINI !!!
I am in the UK, and my heart goes out to you, the expression and sadness on your face is clear. Please stay positive and not blame yourself for the present troubles you are experiencing at this moment intime.
My view of your country is that it is a beautiful place with beautiful people. A minority are making it bad for every Russian, every Ukrainian and every human. If more Russians had your experience they would not allow whats happening to continue. What you are doing is brave. For as long as you can, keep your videos coming. The global village needs to return. Freedom for all. Stay safe.
I find it so interesting how you absolve you and your countrymen/women (i.e. ordinary Russian citizens) of responsibility for this slow, step-by-step back slide from freedom to tyranny. I suppose a case can be made for the fact that you were all novices at democracy but I am pissed off at the way you all (save for the Navalny's in your country) handed over your rights to this ex-KGB agent. With respect Constantine, I believe you need to all stand up and take some bit of responsibility for where you are today. Love the channel and genuinely feel you disappointment. Russian's were not the only global citizens who celebrated Russia joining the ranks of the free back then when the USSR collapsed. Peace brother...
Thank you for that concise but oh so informative summary of the changes in Russia since 1991! I wish you and fellow Russians peace and safety; as well as for myself and all Americans in these trying times.
I never thought I would watch all of this.. 27 minutes in and I’m hooked, definitely finishing it. And also because I feel like you’re speaking America’s future, I think you are telling our next few years but we are sped up a little, things moving much quicker to this end result. You are a great speaker and story teller! Please continue posting. Subscribed, for sure.
Step by step
You are a good man with a good wife. I still think of Russians as good people because I have actually been to Russia 🇷🇺 and its beautiful cities and met Russian people. Russians have survived everyone from Mongols, Hitler, and Stalin…Russians are resilient people. I truly think Russians are a great people especially for their ability to have a sense of humor during difficult times. I visited the Leningrad museum and know Russians can take any hardship. I wish you and your wife the best my friend…you are a good man and nothing can destroy a good man. Everything will be okay in the end because life always prevails and good people always prevail. Keep posting these videos, if you are able, but don’t risk too much. Good people like you and your wife make this earth a better place.
Just finished watching the live now, firstly your amazing celebrity mods having a page is a fab idea, I know some nights are more difficult than others but they do such an amazing job trying to keep chat safe, keep you safe and to keep these live streams going for now. Huge ty to the mods xxx Secondly, regarding your live videos and channels etc first of all your safety & your families safety is the most important. Your videos are such a life line especially to people like myself, so far away, feeling helpless and seeing your pain :( Sometimes it is just a few pounds or our thoughts and prayers we can send, but I hope you know just how many people from all over the world really do care about you, your family and your channel. You have certainly opened my eyes in many ways, all in many many positive ways and I personally thank you for that. If it comes to it in the next few days, just letting your you tube family know that you are all ok on Telegram will be a huge piece of mind for us all. I know you will go on to the end, you have that passion in you, but please your safety is always first priority. I am honoured to be a part of this really wonderful group, people from all over the world communicating and it is you that has brought us all together. So many thoughts and prayers for you & your beautiful family will be sent from myself & my family in the UK. Stay safe Love to you all x
@@LORNA_1 No you hard working guys are awesome :) xxx
Wow! Thank you for this wonderful message. Makes me grow wings behind my back and fly. Thank you thank you thank you
@@INSIDERUSSIA No thank you for taking so much time doing your channel for all of us at this very difficult time, it means so much to myself and the rest of your you tube family :) Stay safe, our thoughts and prayers are always with you & your beautiful family and amazing mods :) xxx
Ditto! Amen!
@@faithrussert3753 :)
Thank you for reminding the world that the Russian citizenship are victims as well. Great story told well!
I went to Russia in 2005 and I could not believe that the Soviet Union had passed away!! Things were so different from what I have been told or see on the media. Long live the memory of Gorbachev!!! I am 70 years old and have lived through those years!!
Thank you for this insight into recent Russian history, from the inside. I hope the world can see and remember that Russians are just people too. We're all in this together.
I’m a Russian immigrant living in the US since I was a kid. Thank you for making a video I can forward to people to help them understand the post-90 period. You represent my thoughts on this to a T
Спасибо! I'm glad I'm not too off in this
@@INSIDERUSSIA Россия и даже сам Путин на самом деле поменялись. Этот нюанс многие американцы не понимают. Для многих Россиян это все тоже очень трудно «переварить» так быстро. То что произошло это трагедия для Европы, России, и Украины, а если так и будет продолжатся то и для всего мира. Думаю было возможно этого всего избежать. Я ужасаюсь от того что Россия может пойти по путю Китая. ОЧЕНЬ советую посмотреть канал ADVChina. Парень который переехал в Китай и жил там 14 лет. Я за ним следил все годы. Не давно уехал от туда потому что Китай тоже ОЧЕНЬ сильно изменился за последние 3 года и он также в шоке от этого. Вам будет очень интересно.
P.S. Я в Калифорнии. Помогаю как могу Украинцам так и Россиянам которые переехали сюда. Есть опыт и контакты для помощи с эмиграционными вопросами. Если что нужно пишите.
Konstantin, thank you for this honest, personal account of your important relationship with the country that is obviously and rightly so dear to your heart. I’m going to have to listen again because you make so many insightful points. But be assured that once you remove the stepping stones that are unstable, your beautiful country will be revealed once more.
Fantastic video. Thank you for giving us all a real insight into how things progressed
What I don't understand is if the Golden Years were so good, why did the government destroy them? It makes no sense. If the Golden Years era had been allowed to continue and flourish even more than it already had, Russia today would be respected worldwide instead of its current status of international pariah.
Just about the most comprehensive analysis for the transition from the USSR to Russia that I have heard. Konstantine, an outstanding job. I hope everything works out for you and the Russian people!
Thank you!
Thank you you present history very clearly and obviously love your country. You have brought together and clarified my understanding. Let's hope a peaceful way out of today's disaster can be achieved.
I have always been intrigued by Russian/Eastern European history and culture, as my grandparents and great grandparents all immigrated to the US from the Russian Empire in the early 1900's. I had a grandfather who was born in Ukraine, as well as many of my great grandparents. However, "this story" is still playing out, and I don't see any "new Russia" on the horizon. We have a saying in America, "don't put the cart before the horse"!! I am not certain how well this saying will translate? But I wouldn't want you to be disappointed as the end is still very unclear and unpredictable!! Best wishes during these very uncertain times!
From late Jan 2022 Russia saw a huge spike in VPN downloads. TASS reported 53.5 times more people were using VPNs in early April than in January. Close to 1/3 of Russians now have access outside Russian censorship walls.
I love your videos. I am black American; my wife is from village outside of Rostov-on Don. My wife was only 4 when the Soviet collapsed, she can barely explain how things were during this period. but what she did explain is right in line with the story you tell. We also share your feelings on the special operations as my wife and I both lived in Kiev for 5 years. I share my concern for you, please be careful. I usually send my wife home at minimum twice a year, I am afraid to send her now with a US green card. Just be careful with your content. It's very much appreciated, just don't want you to get into some type of trouble.
I personally loved your own personal outlook on your country. No one can say it is good or bad, because it is how you perceived it to be. I live in the U.S. and I see my country going down the tubes with incompetent people in charge of the Government. Our freedoms are being taking away little by little and people do not see it. I don't understand why they can't. The world has gone bonkers and I just pray that in the end, every person is okay.
People aren't paying attention to what's going on. That's why they don't see it.
Plus, many people are in denial about what's happening here. Many Americans just don't believe it can happen here.
Americans better wake up…we are in trouble!
Don't underestimate the impact of social media
@Janet n Co aka shill account lol, blank with a sub ie main account, there is an army of these that default with usa hate while ignoring factual crimes from the reds, CN do it eg 50c army and ru uses the same system, used to see this all the time on RT ect.
@@riche4you1975 What?
Stay safe Konstantin, your videos are always amazing and I know that you and your family could still be vulnerable 🙏.
We all are now
Thank you so very much for making this video so the world can understand. Hello from Fallbrook, California, USA.
Stay safe Konstantin and your family, and my thoughts are with you from the UK.
Gracias y ánimo Konstantin, desde España. Seguro que de toda esta tragedia surgirá algo positivo para el mundo.
Hola!
Missed the live tonight as I was keeping my mum company, stay safe, my thoughts are with you & your family from Scotland UK x
Thank you ❤️
awesome video konstantin.
sorry I've been quiet. I just needed to take a break and take some time for me.
I'm glad you are home!
🙏😊
I started watching around the end of February of this year loving the videos! hopefully you guys can get your country back some day keep up the content shout out from Newfoundland!
You know, some stuff you said clicks with me. I distinctly remember defending Russia in the 00's, saying that the soviet union is gone, Russia is democratic, and it has everything to gain by integrating into the European community. We should all welcome Russia as an ally! Of course nowadays the fact I thought that makes me look like a goddamn idiot. It's at least good to hear from the inside that there was something much different back then. It felt like Russia had accepted it was no longer a great power and was on the road to being a strong regional power that was a major player in Europe. It kinda felt like Russia was in the process of telling the world off for the negative stereotypes and that Russia was here on the world stage, a major player on it's own, not just a remnant of the USSR. People seemed proud to be Russian (In a patriotic way, not a nationalistic way)
you were not an idiaot you were right
You know , I also remember defending Germany in the 2010s and saying that the Nasis were gone. But I guess Reinhard Gehlen vision of tomorrow rules supreme among the bots.. 2020+ ; Papers please
Thank you for sharing. This can happen (will happen) to any democracy that is not vigilant. It happened to the first one in ancient Athens and it almost happened to the most successful modern one, the US. No one should stay in power for more than 2 terms, no matter how good they are.
Agreed
In 1991 I was 16, I remember It was an incredible moment. I'm Italian and as many in the west we saw USSR as the enemy with nukes ready to kill us all. Starting with the fall of berlin wall, I felt the wind of change (like Scorpions song!). I saw a lot of people, new for me with need of freedom and a new start. One of my fav moment, as an old metalhead, was the Moscow peace festival (Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne etc..). I remember the crazy moment were soldiers, starting to look to the stage instead doing security service. I miss that moment. I need moments of hope and peace. We need it.
Me too, I need moments of hope too.
The festival was called the monsters of rock
@@INSIDERUSSIA Monsters of rock was 1991 (if I'm not wrong the venue was an airport), I'm talkin about Moscow Peace Festival, it was 1989! It was the start of all!! ru.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_Music_Peace_Festival
You my friend I’ve never met should be able to run for president of Russia. You have a lot of insight and a huge heart. Thank you. My name is Steve and I’m from the US
I‘m from Germany and agree 100%.
Thank you Konstantin. It is very important for us in the West to hear your point of view. You can teach us a lot. I hope things turn around for the better for you very soon. It is all too heartbreaking for all affected.👏✌🏼🕊🐨
Had a few Russian friends in high school and early college years, they would talk about the same things on how to survive as you have mentioned. I didnt want to believe them, because we're young, we're kids. So its interesting to hear about your experiences and how they align with what they've spoken about, but in more detail.
I have been following you since you gave a tour of your town, the mall and other places “Inside Russia”. I worked with Russians in 1993. I was in Moscow when the parliament building was on fire, and returned to Moscow to see the building covered with white cloth. You speak truth to power. You trusted your gut and left to protect your family and have found your place. A good place. You have done and you are doing good work. Please do not stop. I think something good will come from sharing your observations and viewpoints. This is certainly true today.
You know there's a lot of us out here that care. We pray along with you. We This too shall pass.
Thank you! ❤️
Russia changed January 1 2000. It just that first 10 years or so been like in Wizard of Oz - pay no attention to a man behind the curtain. But there were many things happening first 10 years like Chechnya, Georgia, Yukos//Khodorkovsky etc.
Very sad - we call stepping stones the “slippery slope “ Very disheartening to watch Russia’s slippery slope 😥
Very intresting video's Constantin .... Like them. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for this very interesting video and a broad overview of the situation. It's so easy to make simplified assumptions about what has been happening but the bigger picture is necessary.
Man the intro of this video gave me the chills. Patriotism is beautiful when it's used for the right purpose
I hope the best for all Russians. A beautiful language and culture. The young ones growing up don't deal with the crap the people before them. I pray for the men, women and children of Ukraine and the young men and families of Russian's. You do good work man getting the word out. We just sit and wait and hope our leaders find a peaceful resolution to end all this.
I love your honesty. Keep doing what you are doing. We need to see what is happening, and how you are feeling about what's happening!! You are doing a fantastic job!!
Thanks for this video. I started watching you in late February and you are a fascinating person. Please stay safe. I loved the stepping stones analogy.
When I was a boy in high school, we had to read this book called "Animal Farm" by George Orwell. I thought this book was fanciful, fantastic and given to flights of imagination. What you've described however, fits the EXACT plot of Animal Farm, word for word, paragraph for paragraph, page for page, chapter for chapter! From the revolution that saw the overthrow of that old drunk Mr. Jones and his corrupt, old regime to the exhilaration experienced by the farm animals as they entered a new era of freedom and new possibilities, to the realization of the farm animals several years later, that somehow, they've gradually returned to the old regime. No one was able to pinpoint the exact moment they lost their freedoms, just as no one was able to pinpoint the exact moment the old regime made its return. It all happened, as you said, step by step...
Animal Farm was about what happened in 1917 and the few years afterwards. History is to some extent repeating itself.
Good days are over for all of us.
Very interesting video. Thank you for putting it together. I was a little surprised no mention of caucuses and events related regarding the first post soviet period. But maybe in that makes from they didn’t impact t people not directly connected.
Hello from La Crescenta, California. I just subscribed, and find your vids fascinating and informative.
That was fascinating. I hope more people from around the world can hear this to understand how Russia has evolved. It's sad to see you lose your freedom and become an outcast on the world stage. But authoritarianism is not the way and no one should be a President for life. Stay safe but keep putting your thoughts out there. They are important and you can make a difference.
Thank you for this incredible insight into what Russia used to be and its various phases. I hope that one day, this new country can give up its authoritarian and warlike ways and return to the path is was on before 2012.
❤️K
Let's hope the USA will give up its warlike ways..
This is my first time watching this channel, and I found your take on things very helpful. Thank you. Speaking as someone who loves Russian music and literature, I trust your presence there contributes to an ultimate change for the better.
The problem in Russia is not 'the internal revenue service and the government not leaving business alone to do whatever they want.' It's that there isn't a system of laws and independent courts to keep the government from being used by corrupt assholes to run roughshod over people. Libertarianism is not the answer. Basic civil society, the rule of law, and an independent judiciary are what are needed to create lasting prosperity.
Thanks - great overview. What amazes me is, Russia is already - by far - the largest country in the world with huge amounts of natural resources and smart people. If these resources and people were used properly, Russia could be an amazing place to live with a very high standard of living for everyone. Instead, the powers that be focus on acquiring more land and frittering away the resources on archaic ideological ideas. Making Russia bigger is a waste of time - using what they have NOW is all that needs to happen. There are many countries now with far less that are doing far better than Russia. Truly a shame this is happening.
Thank you for your story, I appreciate this exclusive insight into the lives of Russians.
PS -
Quick reminder, Georgia happened in 2008, that was just a glimpse into what was going through Putin's mind.
I have loved Russia. Visiting in 1992 was both wonderful and sad. Many folks upset and disoriented but the wonders of Russia and the possibilities were awesome. My hopes are still great for this amazing country.
Never forget that the Government and the Citizens often have very different goals and views.