- cross-posted to:
- anarchism@lemmy.ml
- cross-posted to:
- anarchism@lemmy.ml
Statements by Movement of Irkutsk Anarchists and Combat Organization of Anarcho-Communists, translated by CrimethInc.
In the current situation around the Wagner mutiny, there is no side we can choose but ourselves.
We do not flatter ourselves: the onset of this moment could take some time. From the February revolution (during which the generals participated in removing the Tsar) to the October revolution, nine months passed. From the Kornilov rebellion to October, two months.
neither the Putin regime nor Prigozhinsky are our friends. In this fight between two cannibals, anarchists should stay away—let them bleed each other as much as possible.
True that its better that Putin beats Wagner than the other way around. But what does "support" mean here beyond pointing out that lone fact? Russian anarchists and communists aren't going to commit any material support for Putin and probably shouldn't. So why confuse the public?
I mean, one of the groups is calling for attacks on rail and oil infrastructure, which is pretty clearly taking sides against Putin without a mass movement capable of picking up the pieces. Imo this is a bad call outside of the core of empire, akin to extending the sanctions from the bottom up.
Attacking infrastructure right now doesnt seem in line with those statements. They should be avoid being collateral and taking the time of a distracted Putin to build that missing mass movement.
For sure, that's my take too, and I think the first and third group were talking along those lines. The second group is probably just more nihilist in orientation than the other two
I'd suggest Russian communists make an effort to oppose Wagner in parallel to Putin's opposition of the same.
Why would we subject our own bodies to destruction when there's plenty of willing patriots? Some fights are just worth sitting out.
Because Nazis should be crushed? Because Russia caving to NATO would fuck you over tremendously? By all means, I'm not saying take my word as authoritative, but this is an ideologically very clear case for militant praxis and pretending otherwise is silly.
And what position would those communists find themselves after Wagner is defeated? Are they to expect Putin to tolerate an armed communist militia? Are they supposed to take the place of Wagner on the front lines?
Putin is not a committed anticommunist, if they were strictly attacking the Wagnerites I think he would treat them as any other militia in that position. I frankly don't know how militias in general would be treated though. Could it merely be disbanded? Would it be pressed into service in Ukraine? I don't know, but I don't think members would simply be killed or imprisoned if they had already made it clear that they weren't going to turn their guns on the Federation, whatever rightful grievances they have with it. It simply wouldn't be pragmatic.
It is better for Russia to win in Ukraine though, so it's ideologically consistent to say that conscription is not optimal but also not intolerable as an option since it would be in opposition to NATO through their proxy state.
I would've expected him to try press them into replacing Wagner. I also wouldn't be so blaise about feeding many of Russia's militant communists into a meat grinder.
Its all moot now though. Come to think of it. The idea that any sort of militia could rapidly materialize out of nothing to meanfully fight a professional fighting force like Wagner seems ridiculous.