Many Families of Russians Fighting in Ukraine Freezing in Their Homes

Paul Goble
    Staunton, Dec. 17 – Thousands of Russian families whose fathers, husbands and sons are now fighting in Ukraine are freezing in their homes because of ruptured pipes and the collapse of the communal heating system (thebarentsobserver.com/news/people-are-freezing-in-putins-arctic-navy-towns/422253 and semnasem.org/articles/2024/12/17/gorod-razorvannyh-trub).
    In response to complaints, Russian officials have promised that they will correct the situation (thebarentsobserver.com/security/touchdown-in-sputnik-defence-minister-belousov-pays-visit-to-naval-infantry-brigade-near-nordic-nato-border/326724), but perhaps the best indication of how Russians feel about this situation is the spread of the following anecdote:
    Many note that Putin says Russia is always ready to fight a nuclear war, even though it has never had to do so; but regardless of whether that is true or not, it is clearly the case that neither he nor any other Russian official is ready for winter, even though that season and the cold it brings Russia comes every year.