If I would have read something like that for the first time, I think I would have felt merely uncomfortable and puzzled, like "they're either kidding or insane". But 90 years ago my country essentially redefined the meaning of the word "atrocity". And when we disseminated those decades in our history lessons, we read some of the speeches given back then. The topics are a bit adapted to Russia, its history and the modern geopolitical environment; but the rhetoric, logic and tone is essentially the same. This is what makes me feel sick.

The fact that it makes you feel sick is a good thing: it means that you haven't lost your humanity. And this is the really dangerous thing right now: the fact that many people are starting to see 'Russians' and not 'Russia/Putin' as the problem. Obviously Russians have some agency, but not to the degree that many think they do. They could do a lot more, but for people who have not lived under the jackboot of a dictator for the whole of their lives this may seem a bit simpler and less dangerous than it really is.

Even so: the only real change can come from within Russia.

you are mistaken. it's not rhetoric. they really do believe in this.

And we "really do believe" in our politicians' speeches, despite how absurd they sound.

It's literally what a bunch of population really believe in. i been couch surfing livejournal (which is mostly russian those days). it's real believe and desire of many russian people. right now a bunch of them saying "he made a right call, we need to go all the way through it, and sanctions will make us stronger and independent". and no, it's not trolls for hire. it's people that been posting this kind of stuff for 15 years

Just had a call with a colleague with Russian passport. Essentially: Yes. He described as people he knew being essentially manipulated and outright brainwashed into believing that shit since. With the efforts going on for well over a decade now. The whole "foreign agent" method to squash the remaining opposition is really just the tip of the iceberg.

was just talking with my coworker who recently moved from russia to states because he wanted to save his family from russian reality. he spent last few days talking with his friends and family "back there". he says that most of them totally brainwashed, say that everything that west shows about ukraine it's fake and propoganda. total misunderstanding of the fact that russian economy pretty much ended over the weekend. sure that everything is good and they "liberate republics for neo-nazi junta".

dude is devastated

I can imagine, that's got to be absolutely terrible.

Long ago I had a similar situation with the parents of my partner who were in a completely different reality, 'their main tactic was head down and ignore it all, be grateful that you are alive and shut up'.