Is it when one country invades another country? When the invaded country fights back? Or when Vladimir Putin says so?

Apparently, it’s that last one.

From the time Russia’s forces — which had been mobilized at the Ukrainian border for months — finally launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine’s territory on February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin has staunchly refused to refer to the invasion — and the ensuing two years (and counting) of all-out slaughter and destruction — as anything more than a “special military operation” (or “SVO,” to use the Russian initials). In fact, he rammed through a new censorship law making it a crime, punishable by up to 15 years of imprisonment, to so much as utter the word “war” in connection with Ukraine, or to “discredit” the military, or promote “fake” information . . . leaving the definition of those terms open to interpretation by the courts. His courts.

And for two years, he has been having countless people — journalists, political dissidents, disillusioned military personnel, and ordinary citizens — arrested, locked up, exiled, or eliminated for uttering the “wrong” words in the “wrong” context, or simply the “wrong” tone of voice.

But last week, suddenly and unexpectedly, something changed. On Friday, March 22nd, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov offered this statement to the Russian media outlet Argumenty i Fakty:

“We are at war. Indeed, it started as a special military operation but as soon as a clique was formed and the collective West joined in on Ukraine’s side, it turned into war for us. I am convinced of that. Everyone should understand this to summon up inner strength.” [RFE/RL, March 22, 2024.]

“Oh . . . sorry. You were serious???”

Well, of course he was serious. Dmitry Peskov is never, ever not serious. After all, he works for Vladimir Putin. One slip, and . . .

And just to make sure we understood, Peskov added comments to the effect that Russia must fully “liberate” its “new regions” — four regions in Ukraine it illegally annexed during the war — “to protect the people in these regions and liberate the territory of these regions.” [RFE/RL, March 22, 2024.]

Well, they’ve talked about “liberating” what they claim as “their territories” from the beginning. But what is new is the claim that their SVO turned into a full-fledged war when the “collective West” formed some sort of coalition — or “clique,” to use Peskov’s terminology — and dared to step in to assist Ukraine in its alleged assault on Russia.

Looking at it from an objective viewpoint (what a radical idea!), you might wonder what anyone — in this case, Putin, Peskov & Company — would have to have been smoking in order to view this two-year massacre as an assault by Ukraine on Russia. I’m thinking . . .

Yup, that’s clearly it: their own little Wonderland blend.

But why now? Well, from a public relations standpoint, things have not been going so well for Mr. Putin recently. Barely a week into his fifth term as President, he is faced with growing demonstrations of opposition to his SVO, to his onerous new laws, and to his rule in general. The economy, while seeming to be thriving, is actually only doing so on a war-time footing, and would likely collapse under the weight of international sanctions if the Ukrainian adventure were to end, and end badly for him. He needed a way to blame the West for all of it, and turning an SVO into a war seemed the right vehicle.

And that’s not all. Talk about the perfect storm! Earlier in March, Putin had received a warning from the United States about credible intelligence indicating a strong possibility of an imminent terror attack by radical Islamic forces on Moscow itself. The threat was fairly specific: probably within 48 hours, and located at a crowded venue, possibly a concert.

But Putin chose to view that from his upside-down, through-the-looking-glass perspective . . . and ignored it. And when it didn’t happen within 48 hours, he was able to say “I told you so.”

Well, of course it didn’t happen within 48 hours. When word of the U.S. warning was made public, the terrorists — being certifiably insane, but not stupid — withdrew under threat of increased security measures. And they regrouped. But Putin misread the delay as a withdrawal, or proof that no such threat ever existed . . . and he relaxed. For once, his raging paranoia failed him, and he allowed his distrust of the United States to outweigh his normally cautious nature. Life went on as usual, some 6,500 people bought tickets to a rock concert, and . . .

On the very evening of the day that Dmitry Peskov was shooting off his big mouth, all hell broke loose at the Crocus City Music Hall on the outskirts of Moscow. An estimated 135-150 people were killed, another 100-plus seriously injured, and Putin’s alleged 87% popularity took a major hit. Today, Moscow mourns . . . and its people want to know why.

*. *. *

More about Putin’s actions, or inactions, in the wake of that horrific disaster in tomorrow’s post. For now, it’s enough just to know we finally got him to say “war.” It’s even more satisfying than “uncle.”

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
3/25/24