Vladimir Putin issued his declaration of martial law less to be in a position to absorb Ukrainian territory but rather to reinforce his own “occupation of Russia itself,” Vitaly Portnikov says. “That’s hardly news: any tyrant eventually turns to the task of occupying his own country and destroying anything there that limits him in any way.
Moreover, the Ukrainian commentator continues, “there is always the temptation to take advantage of war and press his subjects harder” not only to carry out his aggressive plans but to work without adequate compensation and to silence any who might speak out against him (graniru.org/opinion/portnikov/m.286365.html).
Putin’s first goal is the destruction of “disloyal peoples,” first and foremost the Ukrainians by invading their country but also the non-Russian people within the current borders of the Russian Federation leaving…
