Paul Goble
Staunton, Dec. 12 – Since February 24 when Vladimir Putin ordered his expanded invasion of Ukraine, 20 Russian shopping centers have burned. Russians are currently debating who is behind these fires. Some commentators blame Ukrainian saboteurs, but other observers suggest that the owners have torched these facilities to collect on insurance.
(On this debate, see newizv.ru/article/general/12-12-2022/diversiya-ili-nazhiva-eksperty-obsudili-epidemiyu-pozharov-v-torgovyh-tsentrah, profile.ru/economy/gran-razoreniya-chto-proishodit-s-torgovymi-centrami-i-skolko-iz-nih-mogut-zakrytsya-1220401/ and publizist.ru/blogs/117734/44649/-.)
Three things make this debate intriguing: First, Russians are given to coming up with an explanation based on some hidden hand rather than considering that at least some of these conflagrations may have been the result of faulty wiring or simple accidents.
Second, they appear just as ready to see their class enemies – the rich – as their national enemies – the Ukrainians – responsible for these disasters. And third, it is almost certain that if some wealthy Russians are trying to collect insurance money, they will be among those most vocal in suggesting the Ukrainians are to blame.
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