Up until now, only 3 of Russia’s international football players have spoken out against the war on Ukraine; Fedor Smolov, Aleksandr Sobolev, and now Nadya Karpova. After all, why would you be against your own country’s war?
Russian propaganda is trying to convince Russians that Russia is a very special country and the whole world is against the country and its “unique mission”. Russia has placed strict propaganda controls on what citizens see and hear about the brutal war in Ukraine, leaving many citizens in the dark. Nadya Karpova doesn’t think Russians are special, and also disagrees about about what Russia’s unique mission is.
On the other hand, Karpova says “I am not ashamed to be Russian, as Russia doesn’t mean the government and Vladimir Putin. A government can’t represent its whole nation, or every person it controls. Putin took everything from us, he took our future. At the same time, he did it with our tacit consent. They didn’t witness strong resistance. Most people were just closing their eyes to injustice, thinking it’s not their business”.
During an interview, Karpova said she had to be careful with her words. She isn’t afraid to say something wrong, as is common among Russian athletes becausea Russian law says it can lead to up to 15 years in prison for saying anything the authorities consider to be “fake news” about the military; Alexei Navalny, who was a protester of Putin, and 4,989 other protesters of the war were arrested for leading a protest. Instead of worrying about the consequences, Karpova is afraid of forgetting something important. And she is trying not to speak in cuss words.
Karova can’t just look at this war and do nothing. She already participated in two protests, yet she still feels it’s not enough. People who justify the war are hostages to propaganda, she thinks.
In March, Karpova met Tamila Khimych, who is Ukrainian. At first, Khimych looked at Karpova suspiciously like she was the many other Russians who hated Ukrainians. Karpova was close to crying. She was thinking about how Khimych’s relatives were in danger.
Links:
Nadya Karpova: The Russia striker speaking out against war in Ukraine – BBC Sport
Thousands Arrested in Russia as Protesters Defy Putin’s Latest Crackdown on Free Speech | Vanity Fair
Russian propaganda is trying to convince Russians that Russia is a very special country and the whole world is against the country and its “unique mission”. Russia has placed strict propaganda controls on what citizens see and hear about the brutal war in Ukraine, leaving many citizens in the dark. Nadya Karpova doesn’t think Russians are special, and also disagrees about about what Russia’s unique mission is.
On the other hand, Karpova says “I am not ashamed to be Russian, as Russia doesn’t mean the government and Vladimir Putin. A government can’t represent its whole nation, or every person it controls. Putin took everything from us, he took our future. At the same time, he did it with our tacit consent. They didn’t witness strong resistance. Most people were just closing their eyes to injustice, thinking it’s not their business”.
During an interview, Karpova said she had to be careful with her words. She isn’t afraid to say something wrong, as is common among Russian athletes becausea Russian law says it can lead to up to 15 years in prison for saying anything the authorities consider to be “fake news” about the military; Alexei Navalny, who was a protester of Putin, and 4,989 other protesters of the war were arrested for leading a protest. Instead of worrying about the consequences, Karpova is afraid of forgetting something important. And she is trying not to speak in cuss words.
Karova can’t just look at this war and do nothing. She already participated in two protests, yet she still feels it’s not enough. People who justify the war are hostages to propaganda, she thinks.
In March, Karpova met Tamila Khimych, who is Ukrainian. At first, Khimych looked at Karpova suspiciously like she was the many other Russians who hated Ukrainians. Karpova was close to crying. She was thinking about how Khimych’s relatives were in danger.
Links:
Nadya Karpova: The Russia striker speaking out against war in Ukraine – BBC Sport
Thousands Arrested in Russia as Protesters Defy Putin’s Latest Crackdown on Free Speech | Vanity Fair
