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FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War

"We Trust Putin" — In Russia's Hinterland, Support For The War Is Stronger Than Ever

Thousands from Moscow and other major cities may have fled Russia to avoid mobilization, but that doesn't paint the full picture. In parts of the country far from the capital, Vladimir Putin still has strong support and no shortage of willing draftees.

"We Trust Putin" — In Russia's Hinterland, Support For The War Is Stronger Than Ever

Mobilizing Russian men in the Ust-Labinsk district

Benjamin Quénelle

UST-LABISNK — “There are no cowards here!"

Elena, around 30, has a stern gaze, and she doesn’t mince her words. "We're ready to go to Ukraine and fight the West!”

The "here" she's referring to is Ust-Labinsk, a small town with a population of fewer than 40,000 in Russia's southern agriculture region of Krasnodar.

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Far away from Moscow and the misgivings of the urban elite, support for Putin’s war remains strong in the Russian hinterlands.

When asked about the fighting in Ukraine, the locals immediately praise the “war” and speak of their pride in sending their men to the front.


In the background, tractors trundle peacefully along. These fields of rich black soil are some of the most fertile in Russia. Around 1,300 km south of Moscow, 400 km east of the Donbas and the two Ukrainian regions annexed by Moscow last week, the region is also a hotbed of support for the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin.

Unlike the "traitors" in Moscow

“My husband is ready to go to the front. Not like those traitors in Moscow who are fleeing like rats,” says Elena, a singer in a Cossack choir.

Historically, the region was home to these legendary defenders of Slavic land and traditions. For the moment, the couple has not received a call-up. But they are awaiting a second wave of mobilization and at home they have a bag already packed for the front: uniform, warm underclothes, medicine, bandages.

“We’ve bought everything in case. I’m ready too," Elena says, with a wink. "They'll need singers to boost morale among the troops.”

We are responding to the call

Like millions of Russians, the residents of Ust-Labinsk have listened to all of Vladimir Putin’s speeches about Ukraine and his anti-Western rants. “Here, there are thousands of enthusiastic conscripts,” says Dmitri, a taxi driver and father of three. “We are responding to the call, not shirking. I don’t want a war. But because of the fascists in Kyiv, if I’m needed, I’ll go.”

Ust-Labinsk is a small town with a population of fewer than 40,000 in the south of Russia

ust_labinsk_info

Unconditional support

However, most people cut the conversation short when asked to explain their reasons for supporting the war. “We’re going to a great war. I am ready!” says Yuri, a local honey and apple juice seller. “We are showing our support,” he says.

Support for what? “Support, that’s all…” the young man replies with a smile.

“We trust Putin” is all Svetlana has to say. Her two sons, 22 and 26 years old, are both professional soldiers and have been at the front since February. “I am proud of them.” She has stuck a letter Z on her windscreen, a symbol of support for the Russian army. “It’s a clash of civilizations. What positive impact has the West had? It’s brought colonization and destruction everywhere, from Libya to Ukraine. I hate your values. Just look at your toys and cartoons: poor quality and often immoral,” Svetlana says from behind the steering wheel of her car — a Renault Logan, one of the last models made in Russia.

Feeling threatened by the U.S. and NATO

Who are the “fascists” being targeted in Ukraine? What are the Kremlin’s aims? Why is the Russian army being pushed back by the Ukrainians, when they thought would take Kyiv quickly in the spring? What are the economic consequences of the conflict? Like the majority of people in Ust-Labinsk, Svetlana prefers not to answer these kinds of questions. “Let’s talk about nature and the nice weather,” she deflects.

The West’s aim is to destroy Russia

"Faced with threats from the United States and NATO, Russia could no longer avoid a war that was being stirred up by the West,” says Piotr, a farmer. To back up his argument, he claims to have read a statement from a European leader confirming that the “West’s aim is to destroy Russia”. Where did he read it?

“I can’t remember. Somewhere on an independent Russian news site…”


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Economy

How A Xi Jinping Dinner In San Francisco May Have Sealed Mastercard's Arrival In China

The credit giant becomes only the second player after American Express to be allowed to set up a bank card-clearing RMB operation in mainland China.

Photo of a hand holding a phone displaying an Union Pay logo, with a Mastercard VISA logo in the background of the photo.

Mastercard has just been granted a bank card clearing license in China.

Liu Qianshan

-Analysis-

It appears that one of the biggest beneficiaries from Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to San Francisco was Mastercard.

The U.S. credit card giant has since secured eagerly anticipated approval to expand in China's massive financial sector, having finally obtained long sought approval from China's central bank and financial regulatory authorities to initiate a bank card business in China through its joint venture with its new Chinese partner.

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Through a joint venture in China between Mastercard and China's NetsUnion Clearing Corporation, dubbed Mastercard NUCC, it has officially entered mainland China as an RMB currency clearing organization. It's only the second foreign business of its kind to do so following American Express in 2020.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that the development is linked to Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting on Nov. 15 with U.S. President Joe Biden in San Francisco, part of a two-day visit that also included dinner that Xi had with U.S. business executives.

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