The President and Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, delivered a special address to the peoples of Dagestan, the Caucasus, and other nations oppressed by Russia. In it he explained what Ukraine is fighting for, how the Kremlin wants to use the oppressed peoples of Russia in this war against Ukraine, the dangers it poses to their representatives, and why they must resist it. There is no point in recounting everything in detail — it is better to listen and watch, especially since the speech is concise, powerful and clearly deserves attention!
However, as everyone knows, with the start of the mobilization in Dagestan and other regions, Muslims and others have begun to protest against it, and now there are calls to join these protests in various channels. In this regard, we would like to openly discuss the doubts expressed not only by Kremlin propagandists or a certain type of people who always doubt everything and look for conspiracies, but also by some undoubtedly authoritative and dignified Muslim leaders who are known for their determination and sacrifice.
The main doubt among the latter is that people are not ready for the decisive resistance they are being called upon to provide, and therefore such attempts or provocations will only worsen their situation and lead to new repressions and purges, whereas we must preserve our strength for the right moment. All this was reasonable. But only until the decisive moment came, which became the mobilization and the reality of the total war initiated by the Kremlin, which changes the entire reality and all the rules of the game.
Until that moment, if you sat quietly, waited, and showed caution, you would not be touched, and so you could wait, endure, and wait for better times, preserving your potential for them. Although, as we know, this did not always work…
But now you can do absolutely nothing, keep your mouth shut, stay at home as quiet as a mouse, but if you are a man, they will come for you. They will come for you, not to imprison you for a few years for reposting or liking, or even 10-20 years for false financing of terrorism or involvement in it because you shook hands with someone near the mosque. They will come for you to kill you, because sending you to war with Ukraine means just that.
And now we want to ask — who and how do you want to preserve in Russia in this situation? At most, you can preserve completely immobile cripples, small children or old people, because everyone else can be swept away today or tomorrow.
Do not fall for Putin’s or Melikhov’s appeals about the excesses of the mobilization and take their words at face value. Today they say these things only out of fear of popular uprisings and discontent, but as soon as they succeed in suppressing them, the machine will begin to work with even greater force, primarily against those who have already risen up against it.
Therefore, those who hope that they will not be drafted because they have a reservation, a certain illness, a certain number of children, or because they are not citizens, etc., are burying their heads in the sand. Even if they are not called up now, they will be called up next time when a new wave of mobilization is announced and the written and unwritten rules (the latter being more important in Russia) change.
Therefore, dear people, if you want to preserve someone on the territory of Russia and preserve yourselves without entering the fight, there is only one way, which we have been talking about for months and years — leave. Leave by all means while it is still possible. If it is not possible now or already, as an option, hide in the most remote place where you will not be found or betrayed. But even that is only for the purpose of leaving at the first opportunity.
As for those who do not want to or cannot leave and have decided to stay, know that you will be forced to fight. The question is only for whom and against whom — for those who want to use you as cannon fodder against the interests of yourselves, your people and your religion, or will you fight, fight, risk your lives, for yourselves, your people and your religion against their main enemy in this area? Therefore, once again, if you do not want to expose yourselves to the risks of such a struggle, or if you consider it hopeless, leave while you can, or at the earliest opportunity, or hide so that they will not find you. Let it be your fight, because in reality it is also your fight, because you are depriving the enemy of the mobilization resource they see in you and people like you. And the risks and hardships on the path of this struggle are significant — many of those who accused us of choosing an easy path by emigrating will now be able to appreciate whether it is really easy… But for those who have decided to stay, it is important to get your head out of the sand of your own illusions and understand — you have nothing left to lose. The struggle is inevitable. Risks are inevitable. Sacrifices are probably inevitable as well. The only question is for what and in the name of what. Decide.