Man, every time I see videos like that, my heart breaks. Those are actual human beings with families, loved ones, hopes and dreams... (I know Russia does much worse things to the other side, but that doesn't change the feeling. Most conscripts are just brainwashed cannon fodder :()
Unfortunately their misguidance is putting them in a position where they're there to kill Ukranians, and asking nicely didn't get them to not be there.
That distinction is completely pointless though. Misguided people murdering people still needs to be stopped, with violence if necessary. And it definitely is necessary when we are talking about them invading another country and murdering its citizens.
Internet ≠ Internet. It’s heavily censored and monitored in Russia. They don’t have access to all the information we do. Plus, all other media are brainwashing them with propaganda. Makes it hard to believe if some website tells a completely different story.
However, there are those who stay informed and don’t support the war. They just can’t do it openly.
I've been watching the YouTube channel 1420 where they interview people on the streets of Moscow. Many of them are held hostage too. You can tell that they don't want to speak freely for fear of criminal punishment. One guy even said something to the effect of, "Why don't 100 Americans come over here and protest the war to see what happens." The Russian government quells any form of rebellious organization. To take Putin out of power, it's gonna have to come from the top or a sporadic mass protest after a Bloody Sunday a la 1917 Russian Revolution.
Oh yeah, absolutely. And I'd feel horrible for the human being on the other side of the scope... I'm talking about the actual human being with a life being killed. Not the politics behind it.
That doesn't mean I'm justifying the atrocities Russia commits or even remotely support their unprovoked attack. Russia is the bad guy, no discussion. But they're still humans and I can still feel bad for the needless loss of human life.