I was in St Petersburg in 1994, its so different now, when I was there most of the buildings were covered with scaffolding and being repaired (I assume?) but it was so beautiful and the people were lovely. I found it so strange that at that time there were few places to shop other than markets and small kiosks and shops. I would love to return one day.
I think your people have a lot of denial. The war is definitely ongoing and Russia is definitely losing. A collapse is bound to be coming. I just hope not too many more people die. I also suspect a lot of the troops come from poorer, mire rural areas, as it often is here in the US.
I remember the turmoil in the United States during the Vietnam War. Even though daily life was similarly unchanged, there were many protests, and many men lived in fear. It's very difficult to gauge that sort of "vibe" just by walking around with a camera.
I watched a video of the commissars agents in St. Petersburg running down a young man to serve his mobilization papers and this was from today. That seems like fear to me. My Ukrainian girlfriend has a classmate living in Moscow who is hiding in his apartment for fear of going to war. She also has 4 cousins in Crimea hiding in fear of being served their draft letter. My dentist's nephew in Russia also escaped to Turkey after being picked up for protesting. Seems like fear to me.
The ironic part about what all you said is ukranians we're doing the exact things in there country you stated when this war started the media and western governments just censored and didn't report on it is all SMH 🙈
Having served for 6 years in The US Military....I have been utterly, thoroughly shocked by the lack of Training and Supplies for Mobilized Men for the military operation. No matter what anyone thinks of the operation, that lack in duty of care is criminal in my opinion.
I served four years in the US Air Force with an overseas tour of duty in Greece in the 1970's. I'm like you, I'm shocked. I always thought the Russian Military had was better than they are. Going to war without any thought to logistics is crazy. Praying that this war ends soon for everyone.
Russia does have a Reserve that is trained . Individual perception and knowledge of actual military events taking place is only relegated to their observation and trauma they experienced on a individual basis. The big picture they can't discern. I am sorry for Ukrainian and Russian People. The USA has been training Ukrainians for Ten years for War. America , Ukraine, and NATO wanted this War. America has sent 145 Billion dollars . They agreed to continue sending Money monthly. America has sent Billions of dollars of weaponry to Ukraine. The American Government wanted this War. I heard Biden say if Russia completed the oil pipe line to Europe that he would destroy it. He actually did order attacks on the Pipeline and it had to be shutdown. That is Russia's oil and Biden evidently wants control of that oil. His actions indicate that. NATO was surrounding Russia with missiles . Putin saw a dangerous situation for the Russian people and nobody would Negotiate with Russia. Russians have a loyal Leader and a strong Leader I am sorry the necessity of Defending Russia has arisen. I am embarrassed by America supporting War instead of supporting PEACE among Nations. God bless you and protect your brother.
@Linda Etheridge-Stroud I saw two Russian Soldiers carry a wounded civilian man they had just shot from their 30mm BMP, the man and his wife were shot in a civilian car. They dumped the man in a ditch and left....the badly wounded man 😕. Your country as you've known it no longer exists....you just haven't come to the full realization of it. You will, of that I have no doubt. I believe there are more good Russian people than bad. Those good people may be able to form something that operates like an actual country. As far as America, or NATO wanting this war....that's just absolute rubbish, not one sane person living in a free country believes that.
I am saddened by this whole thing . I am a mom of a 21 one year boy and almost 18 year old boy. We are fortunate to live in Canada but I would move heaven and earth to escape to keep them safe. My boys would not be cannon fodder. Women will not be safe there either. I follow quite a few who left and I am happy they did so. All I want is peace, enough of the hate of madmen.
@@gregm.mcmillan2371 yes but what you write applies only if you believe that what your country is doing is right, honourable and justified. I follow quite a few young men who have escaped Russia to escape mobilisation. In ALL of these cases, they do not believe that Russia was justified in invading another country (Ukraine) for no justifiable reason, and above all, they do not want to kill anyone for a cause that they think is plain wrong. I too have 4 adult young sons, and I would be proud of their integrity and courage in refusing to fight for a "cause" which they believe to be utterly wrong. Therefore I don't think that your analogy is a good one. I lost both my uncles in 1940, fighting for the UK aged 19 and 21. A terrible loss for their parents. But not a good comparison because they utterly believed in the cause that they were fighting for.
@@gregm.mcmillan2371 yes absolutely, if they believed that the cause for the war was honourable and justified, just as I have explained in my last sentence, which goes "I lost both my uncles in 1940, fighting for the UK aged 19 and 21. A terrible loss for their parents. But not a good comparison because they utterly believed in the cause that they were fighting for." If you insert sons where I have written uncles, you have your answer!
My son is half Russian and he is nearly the age when he could be drafted to the army. Just before the war started I was planning on going to St-Petersburg where my parents live to visit them. I was going to go this summer. Then war started. I was scared to go because I didn't want them to take my son, so I didn't go.
@@OlgasBritishFells that was such a good decision Olga. I would have made the same choice with all 4 of my sons, had I been in your position. Your parents will miss you, but they will also feel SO comforted to know that your son can't be drafted. That will bring them much peace, I'm absolutely sure.
Everything looks completely normal to me.. Just like it did in Hiroshima on August 5th, 1945. Same as it was too, in Mariupol on February 23rd, of 2022. There are pictures of the streets in both cities before they were blown up. Kharkiv too. Somebody was walking around with a camera shooting street scenes, not long before the city was destroyed. It's posted on UA-cam. Must be a couple of hours long. It was a beautiful city. Really stunning. A million and half people used to live there. I met a Russian speaking refugee from there in Canada at our local farmers market. The only words she could say in English we're “No Russia” , “No Russia”, “No Russia”. Three times she said it. I figure the least I can do is tell her story. A really sweet lady.
I watched a 60 minutes piece on Bucha massacre and wonder if all those complacent people would be remotely calm when they realize their country has murdered children with hands tied behind their backs, the pictures of the dead left laying in the street and indignity of mass graves removed all sympathy for Russia. I know the animals who committed the atrocities are not all Russians but I find it quite ironic that St Petersburg and Moscow are allowed to have beautiful buildings and people can have intact homes. I know the men who fled don't want to go to war but they MUST take it further and declare how they feel about wartime atrocities and seek to disavow Russian citizenship. There aren't many places that are even neutral to brutality of civilians , whether Russian men are going to be sent to wintertime death, Russian citizens have a moral duty to stop the killing.
Thank you for articulating this! There is a creepiness about these serene, oh so careful videos that mask the decay or even complete lack of moral conduct by the entire populace of the Russian Federation. Centuries of subservience by the survivors of Czarist and Soviet imperial ambitions has evolved a population of passive individuals interested only in their own family and social circle.
It's disgusting that you would be "glad" that everything is "normal" in the terrorist state, Russia. Until the population starts to suffer they will do nothing and the torture rape and murder will continue.
My understanding is that the Russian government is choosing men who are of various minorities and live in rural areas far from Moscow .Some villages have most of their young men conscripted .The government knows these places are isolated and news from these areas are limited .Keeping the general public somewhat in the dark of consequences of the mobilization .Imagine if they were just picking men off the streets in major cities .It would be on every major newscast worldwide. I like watching your videos and enjoy seeing your beautiful city. So much different than the small town in nova scotia Canada where i live
According to one video I have just seen, they ARE picking men off the street in St Petersburg and Moscow. It was all in Russian so I couldn't understand the commentator. The title was in English, it said that is what is happening.
What strange times we live in. I often wonder how things would have been in the 30s and 40s, if they had access to the internet and there was a way for regular people to communicate directly like we can do now with UA-cam, social media, etc.: Brits seeing how things were in the streets in Poland, or how Germans were living. And vice versa. The apparent normality adds to the sheer absurdity of the current situation. I like to think that it would have changed things, but now it doesn't seem to make much of a difference... What a world. What a world.
You have to ask yourself why social media platforms are so heavily policed and why Russian news has been deplatformed and any news that deviates from the state department narrative censored? If the internet allows you to find the truth why do they need to censor information, even now they have pentagon trolls called NAFO co trolling the narrative on the Ukraine war on twitter.
Russia was doing the exact same thing in the 30s and 40s. The Holodomor, and in the 40s many Ukrainians were deported to Russia (Siberia) and never heard from again, until the fall of the soviets, when informs became available and families could look up which prison camp cemeteries their loved ones were buried in.
I think that people hiding, fleeing and protesting is pretty much close to panic to me. Not being able to protest or express discontent without the risk of being detained is no good
@@Scrat335 It is for the Ukrainians who have to defend themselves, but there was no good reason for Russia to invade Ukraine. Ukraine poses no threat to Russia.
@@Scrat335 The powers in Kiev. So why bomb innocent civilians? Why kill children in their homes? The way Russia has been conducting this war is despicable. Putin uses the West and so-called Nazis as a ruse for what is really an effort to build his empire. I have both Russian and Ukrainian friends and none of them want this war.
From what I have seen, most of the forced mobilizations have been from smaller communities so that it is not as easily recognized or seen. 😢 I advocate for peace. My heart breaks for all the families in both Russia and Ukraine.... as well as many people across the globe..... Venezuela, Haiti, Iran....and more...They are paying the price for the decisions of other people. We are all human and we all want to just be able to live our lives. Thank you for sharing 💖
St Petersburg and Moscow are not big centers for conscription. From what I have seen, Russia gets most of its mobilization from poor regions, but conscript age men are hiding out. Not many of them on the streets.
i think that mobilization in big cities are lesser because Putin avoids panic and chaos there (St. Petersburg and Moscow where the seat of government is located). but in some smaller cities/ towns, the bulk of mobilized citizens are made/enforced.
I suspect you are showing us the wealthiest part of town, and I don't imagine the most wealthiest young men need to worry about being sent to fight. How do you say "bone spurs" in Russian?
Life in Kiev, on contrary does not look normal. Today morning lots of private buildings were bombed , people were killed again , by made in Iran kamikaze drones , which flew from Belarus. So glad life in Petersburg is so happy and normal…
I think the atmosphere is quite different in smaller cities and towns where large numbers of men have been taken away. Putin seems to be concerned about alarming people in Moscow or St Petersburg.
Hello Ksenia, thank you for all your great videos and the efforts you put into. I realize the majority of drafted conscript are not from Moscow or St. Petersburg they are from smallest town and villages where is not expose to international or the west maybe place like Siberia for example.
@@maleknen1599 There is any invasion or attack to Russia? Does anybody is taking Russian territory or annexing? I hear more wining from Russian than anyone. If Russian like to live under a dictator with a group of elite that is fine, but do not try to impasse to others, respect your Neighbors and focus in the prosperity of the country and the people. You are just full of Kremlin’s propagandists.
Thanks for sharing, Ksenia. I hope you can move soon. I sent you a little money via your PayPal link. It's not a lot, but if enough people donate a few dollars each, we can help get you out of there.
It is sad to see the normality in St. Petersburg, when people are dying in Ukraine, FOR WHAT? And young Russian men are used as cannon fodder. Is not Russia mourning their 65000 young soldiers, dead??? Are they not mentioned at all? And dead FOR WHAT?
It is so nice that you have a normal life in St. Petersburg. I promise you that life is not normal in Ukraine after your country's illegal invasion of that peaceful country. Slava Ukraine.
St.petersburg and moscow has least recruited for mobilization, it is most from far regions. Keeping the sceen look normal to avoid more panic. No protest if you dont want to go to jail. Even if you will interview people they are afraid to say something about the government. Lay low or you will on the hot spot.
The mobilized Russian soldiers in Ukraine complained about the poor conditions they're experiencing, so instead they called the Ukrainian hotline to surrender rather than die.
The good news is Ksenia is a girl, so she can’t be drafted into the military (yet). However, she’s in danger just for saying her mind. The sooner she can get accepted to some archeology program or other the better it’ll be
The bus at 5:56! Everyone is on their phones. It looks exactly like a bus in NYC. Same bored expression on their faces. I wonder if the non-stop time on our phones is worse for our mental health that what any government does. Ksenia, keep showing us life where you are. It gives me hope for the world to see people going about their business without panic or fear.
I am an Australian here in Moscow to spend time with my girlfriend who is a Russian citizen. I have been here since 12 August. I have my feelings about the special military operation which I cannot discuss due to being in Russia. We visited St Petersburg which is a beautiful city. Very nice restaurants. Took a river cruise and met with friends. I agree there doesn't appear to be panic. I have walked past the police speaking English with my girlfriend. The police haven't shown an interest in us as long as you follow Russian law whether a person agrees with it or not. I like St Petersburg more than Moscow though.
If these are the faces of people having a good time on Saturday.... I wonder what they look like when they're depressed! Luckiliy I know a young Russian who lives here and she smiles constantly!
Hello, I'm from the USA, I remember when I turned 18,I had to sign up for the draft just in case I was needed to serve, now it is my belief that if your country needs you you should defend your country and all of your fellow citizens because your country is definitely there for you when you need them,I am not for going out to harm anyone by any means but if my country needs me then by all means I must serve my country and my fellow citizens I wish you and your fellow citizens and your country the best may God bless everyone of you.
Crimea was once Ottoman territory, Ukraine was once Ottoman territory. But we Turks did not attack. However, we Turks did not say that the land of Ukraine is ours. We respect Ukrainian land. Now Russia has attacked the Recognized Ukrainian Land and People. And Ukraine does not have the military power to resist this attack. What Russia is doing is now officially human murder. I support Ukraine. But that doesn't stop me from knowing that there are good people in Russia. If it is left to the Russian people, they will stop this war.
personally, if I was Russian I would not want to die in this war, in ww2 you were attacked so it was patriotic to go fight, get killed in that type of war wouldn't be so bad. Thats why the guys ran to other countries and they didnt run in 1941 .Personally being away from the country seems smart
@Emma Bartley ukraine wanted to join the EU not NATO in 2014 so russia sent in the so called little green men who made up a false successionist movement
What you showed us did not look like the city is out of control. I don't know to what extent the protest are. Maybe there will be a time when organized protest will be allowed and no one will feel threatened by it. I hope everyone in Russia stays safe. I pray for the people in Ukraine, i pray no more men are mobilized. It has been a wasted effort and it needs to stop and save what is left of all these beautiful cities and lives. 🙏
Да ужасная атмосфера, что ещё скажешь. У меня мой парень, когда всё это началось, 4 ночи не мог уснуть вообще, за весь день мог выпить только чаю - кусок в горло не лез, у него потом началось что-то вроде панических атак. Уехал в Казахстан. И слава богу! Потом как пошли вот эти новости, что то на стрельбище расстреляли ребят, то не успели доехать до места, ракетный обстрел, то, думаю, лучше пусть сидит в Казахстане и не суётся сюда - он и мне, и своей семье нужен живым!
I saw the report of a couple of new recruits shooting others which was put down to terrorism- all very sad. As someone looking from far away all I can say is I can't blame Vladimir Putin. America financed that coup that replaced a neutral Ukraine to a Pro Nato vassal state of the USA. Putin wwas damned if he took action & doomed if he didn't. I paid little attention to Russia or Ukraine before that coup but being inquiitive sought out news. When young cnhildren in primary schools were being taught songs praising the killing of Russians it was onvious that there would be reaction. Because of this I say Slava Russia but also Slava Ukraine without the instilled hatred.
I see a disparity of young men to young women on the streets in your video, especially groups of young men. You can see groups of young women, but very few groups of young men. There are more single women pedestrians, than similar aged men. You could see couples(male/female) reasonably often. But if you look at pre mobilization street scenes. You see a lot more groups of young men and lots of single male pedestrians, usually more than women. Saw a similar thing on the streets of Rostov on Don by a Russian vlogger. She seemed happy that "everything was normal"..... while I'm looking at it, thinking to my self. Where are the young men?... It was remarkably stark in that video. Very few men, lots of young women.
The number of Russians between the ages of 20 and 29 in the entire country is only 9 million people. The entire society is undergoing demographic collapse (sped up by the war). You should not see many young men on the streets at the best of times. Also the mobilisation age is from 18 to 65. Male life expectancy is 73, healthy life expectancy only 58 for Russian men. Any man you see walking will almost certainly be eligible to go to Ukraine to be killed.
People ARE losing their cool. I saw a "1420" video a day or two ago and people (many women) almost run away when being asked about the referenda etc. Introducing martial law probably doesn't lead to a better mood.
In the first part of the video, it seemed like there were more women than men on the streets…maybe by two-to-one. I had to look hard to make sure I wasn’t wrong…but maybe I still am. Idk…
Once they're on the battlefields they have no socks hardly no food and clothing!! You you get out of St Petersburg over to where they are at and take some pictures and make your comments... oh also they have no training some of them, so you stay in the city and talk about how normal it is!!
What I'm not seeing a lot of are military age men on the streets. I've also noted on other sites that some detention vehicles are used by police to put new conscripts in, to be taken to mobilization centers.
I’m really glad you are showing us what is currently going on in Russia our media here in the U.S. doesn’t show what is going on in Russia just in Ukraine.
A voluntary military is better. Those who join want to be there. Reserves stand by ready to respond. If someone uses the draft system, people who don't want to be there are useless. Peace on earth good will to mankind. The sooner the better.
Most of the western media have either left or had their accreditation removed in Russia, so it's harder to get any inside insights into what is happening there .
Many rural villages are being stripped of their men. This is hitting rural areas much harder than Moscow and St. Pete. Is any of that news making its way back to the big cities? Be careful, stay safe.
I have heard they grab men from church, from places of employment, from apartment buildings and the street and it has reached Moscow and St Petersburgh. If a man I would flee. Or contact I want to live if mobilized.
Was it your station where a man yelled to speak Russian not English? America was in a war for twenty years , at one point we were fighting in seven countries , back in the states business as usual. Out of sight out of mind
Hi Ksenia my name is Nikolai , i came across your chanel and was watching your other videos about relocating to Bulgaria . I hope everything with your move goes well . If you have any questions about anything feel free to reach out . I know its hard moving to a new country , new language . Im bulgarian so i speak the language . So any questions you have or need help with anything just send me a message . Hope you have a great day 😊
Hi. Have you heard about or from any friends who see conscription paper servers waiting in the lobby of apartment buildings? I saw one blog and there were three men and one female police officer at the front doors. (Hoping to catch men on the way out. And they arrived at the building as early as 7:00+/-AM!). A woman who lived in the apartment building filmed them and actually confronted them by voicing her opinions!
Thank you for this update. This is indeed a difficult time. We are lucky to have your insider view on the streets. On a positive side, you showed us many beautiful buildings in this video. Hugs from Kansas.😘🌈
I appreciate the view of the city but I wouldn't expect much out of the normal to be happening unless there was a protest where you were. I am sure that people discuss their views behind closed doors, not in public view, so I don't think the atmosphere showed here offers much insight. The soldiers away from home, the dead soldiers and the future of the country are obviously on citizens minds...
Ksenia, Wonderful segment . I noticed the grey sky’s and I don’t think I saw one person smiling. Kind of gloomy. Other than that it looked like a typical day just about anywhere. Nice to see your town . My town is St Petersburg, Florida.. Sunny skies. Please be careful . I don’t think you have as much freedom as I have to just walk around carrying a camera. If it doesn’t feel safe it’s not worth it . I hope you can move safely and quickly.
Greetings Ksenia from the Granite State! Thanks for sharing with us. Your city is so beautiful and probably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. After the war is over I want to visit my friends in Russia who I play chess with. Warmest wishes to you from America!
So far the war has been fought primarily by poor rural Russians. Putin has not drafted from Moscow or St Petersburg because that is where his power base lies. There’s little question the mood in the poor areas would be different because they know their sons aren’t coming back.
Thank you for your "walk about" video, super informative. IMO, the general public looks well dressed, relaxed, and there are shopping bags, cell phones, and cups of coffee in their hands. The stores all have lights on, windows are fully displayed and the public seems to have enough time and money to shop. The roadways are busy, the cars look upscale and in good condition, buses are modern and busy ... life looks very normal by anyone's standard. For the citizens of St Petersburg, life goes on. Stay safe, Ksenia.
Hmmm … your street walk reminds me of a scene in a movie where “everything seems to be normal”. In the movie so many people just walking the streets like they are living normal lives but really, they are in a catatonic state and having the life sucked out of them with the assistance of a nihilistic misanthropist, Agent Smith who is watching, searching, destroying any resistance to the MATRIX. A brilliant movie, fiction …
What is the employment/unemployment situation in St Petersburg like now? A lot of people have disappeared from the labour market due to mobilization or leaving the country. Has this left gaps in the employment market? In theory, with fewer people available for employment, wages should go up (unless the economy is in such a bad state that businesses are closing). Have you noticed any shops shutting outside the malls?
@@nasser-ist Thanks, but my question was about the overall employment situation in St Petersburg, not for highly skilled workers in general - they never have problems.
So what do you think about the vibe in St. Petersburg?
I was in St Petersburg in 1994, its so different now, when I was there most of the buildings were covered with scaffolding and being repaired (I assume?) but it was so beautiful and the people were lovely. I found it so strange that at that time there were few places to shop other than markets and small kiosks and shops. I would love to return one day.
I think your people have a lot of denial. The war is definitely ongoing and Russia is definitely losing. A collapse is bound to be coming. I just hope not too many more people die. I also suspect a lot of the troops come from poorer, mire rural areas, as it often is here in the US.
I remember the turmoil in the United States during the Vietnam War. Even though daily life was similarly unchanged, there were many protests, and many men lived in fear. It's very difficult to gauge that sort of "vibe" just by walking around with a camera.
@@gingermcintosh6545 😅😅😅
At. Petersburg looks awesome! Would love to see it especially by the harbor
I watched a video of the commissars agents in St. Petersburg running down a young man to serve his mobilization papers and this was from today. That seems like fear to me. My Ukrainian girlfriend has a classmate living in Moscow who is hiding in his apartment for fear of going to war. She also has 4 cousins in Crimea hiding in fear of being served their draft letter. My dentist's nephew in Russia also escaped to Turkey after being picked up for protesting. Seems like fear to me.
@Генерал Армагеддон Motherland in danger? Who attacked Russia?
@@2mek99 Well Russia itself dropped an SU-35 on an appartment Building (OR Iran attacked it with a drone)
The fear may not be out in the open , but I am sure the 18 to 30 year olds are not feeling so happy or secure.
western propaganda
The ironic part about what all you said is ukranians we're doing the exact things in there country you stated when this war started the media and western governments just censored and didn't report on it is all SMH 🙈
Having served for 6 years in The US Military....I have been utterly, thoroughly shocked by the lack of Training and Supplies for Mobilized Men for the military operation. No matter what anyone thinks of the operation, that lack in duty of care is criminal in my opinion.
I served four years in the US Air Force with an overseas tour of duty in Greece in the 1970's. I'm like you, I'm shocked. I always thought the Russian Military had was better than they are. Going to war without any thought to logistics is crazy. Praying that this war ends soon for everyone.
@@garryw.robertsmusicandmore2359 Don't worry, we are the best and we will win 100% Like in 1945!!! it will not seem who will come to us with weapons
Russia does have a Reserve that is trained . Individual perception and knowledge of actual military events taking place is only relegated to their observation and trauma they experienced on a individual basis. The big picture
they can't discern. I am sorry for Ukrainian and Russian People.
The USA has been training Ukrainians for Ten years for War. America , Ukraine, and NATO wanted this War. America has sent 145 Billion dollars . They agreed to continue sending Money monthly. America has sent
Billions of dollars of weaponry to Ukraine. The American Government wanted this War. I heard Biden say if Russia completed the oil pipe line to Europe that he would destroy it. He actually did order attacks on the Pipeline and it had to be shutdown.
That is Russia's oil and Biden evidently wants control of that oil. His actions indicate that.
NATO was surrounding Russia with missiles . Putin saw a dangerous situation for the Russian people and nobody would Negotiate with Russia. Russians have a loyal Leader and a strong Leader
I am sorry the necessity of
Defending Russia has arisen.
I am embarrassed by America supporting War instead of supporting PEACE among Nations. God bless you and protect your brother.
@Linda Etheridge-Stroud I saw two Russian Soldiers carry a wounded civilian man they had just shot from their 30mm BMP, the man and his wife were shot in a civilian car. They dumped the man in a ditch and left....the badly wounded man 😕. Your country as you've known it no longer exists....you just haven't come to the full realization of it. You will, of that I have no doubt. I believe there are more good Russian people than bad. Those good people may be able to form something that operates like an actual country. As far as America, or NATO wanting this war....that's just absolute rubbish, not one sane person living in a free country believes that.
I am saddened by this whole thing . I am a mom of a 21 one year boy and almost 18 year old boy. We are fortunate to live in Canada but I would move heaven and earth to escape to keep them safe. My boys would not be cannon fodder.
Women will not be safe there either. I follow quite a few who left and I am happy they did so.
All I want is peace, enough of the hate of madmen.
@@gregm.mcmillan2371 yes but what you write applies only if you believe that what your country is doing is right, honourable and justified. I follow quite a few young men who have escaped Russia to escape mobilisation. In ALL of these cases, they do not believe that Russia was justified in invading another country (Ukraine) for no justifiable reason, and above all, they do not want to kill anyone for a cause that they think is plain wrong. I too have 4 adult young sons, and I would be proud of their integrity and courage in refusing to fight for a "cause" which they believe to be utterly wrong. Therefore I don't think that your analogy is a good one. I lost both my uncles in 1940, fighting for the UK aged 19 and 21. A terrible loss for their parents. But not a good comparison because they utterly believed in the cause that they were fighting for.
@@gregm.mcmillan2371 yes absolutely, if they believed that the cause for the war was honourable and justified, just as I have explained in my last sentence, which goes "I lost both my uncles in 1940, fighting for the UK aged 19 and 21. A terrible loss for their parents. But not a good comparison because they utterly believed in the cause that they were fighting for." If you insert sons where I have written uncles, you have your answer!
@@gregm.mcmillan2371 Thank you Greg
My son is half Russian and he is nearly the age when he could be drafted to the army. Just before the war started I was planning on going to St-Petersburg where my parents live to visit them. I was going to go this summer. Then war started. I was scared to go because I didn't want them to take my son, so I didn't go.
@@OlgasBritishFells that was such a good decision Olga. I would have made the same choice with all 4 of my sons, had I been in your position. Your parents will miss you, but they will also feel SO comforted to know that your son can't be drafted. That will bring them much peace, I'm absolutely sure.
Everything looks completely normal to me.. Just like it did in Hiroshima on August 5th, 1945. Same as it was too, in Mariupol on February 23rd, of 2022. There are pictures of the streets in both cities before they were blown up. Kharkiv too. Somebody was walking around with a camera shooting street scenes, not long before the city was destroyed. It's posted on UA-cam. Must be a couple of hours long. It was a beautiful city. Really stunning. A million and half people used to live there. I met a Russian speaking refugee from there in Canada at our local farmers market. The only words she could say in English we're “No Russia” , “No Russia”, “No Russia”. Three times she said it. I figure the least I can do is tell her story. A really sweet lady.
Dangerous times, for all of us.
If only the USA and Russia were allies this war could end
@@ontheland5055 Not really
@@hershellacey9405 We need to unite with Russia 🙏🙏
@@Mxxypad what?
I watched a 60 minutes piece on Bucha massacre and wonder if all those complacent people would be remotely calm when they realize their country has murdered children with hands tied behind their backs, the pictures of the dead left laying in the street and indignity of mass graves removed all sympathy for Russia. I know the animals who committed the atrocities are not all Russians but I find it quite ironic that St Petersburg and Moscow are allowed to have beautiful buildings and people can have intact homes. I know the men who fled don't want to go to war but they MUST take it further and declare how they feel about wartime atrocities and seek to disavow Russian citizenship. There aren't many places that are even neutral to brutality of civilians , whether Russian men are going to be sent to wintertime death, Russian citizens have a moral duty to stop the killing.
Thank you for articulating this! There is a creepiness about these serene, oh so careful videos that mask the decay or even complete lack of moral conduct by the entire populace of the Russian Federation. Centuries of subservience by the survivors of Czarist and Soviet imperial ambitions has evolved a population of passive individuals interested only in their own family and social circle.
Glad everything seems normal in Russia. Wish the same could be said about the situation in Ukraine!
Even german cities in 1940 seemed normal...
@@xsc1000 I think Ukraine passed 1940 two weeks ago 😂
Last time I checked, St Petersburg hasn’t been bombed over the last 8 months. Hmm…
It's disgusting that you would be "glad" that everything is "normal" in the terrorist state, Russia. Until the population starts to suffer they will do nothing and the torture rape and murder will continue.
Snitching is even more poisonous than a police state. It’s my experience growing up in a former dictatorship, Portugal.
My understanding is that the Russian government is choosing men who are of various minorities and live in rural areas far from Moscow .Some villages have most of their young men conscripted .The government knows these places are isolated and news from these areas are limited .Keeping the general public somewhat in the dark of consequences of the mobilization .Imagine if they were just picking men off the streets in major cities .It would be on every major newscast worldwide. I like watching your videos and enjoy seeing your beautiful city. So much different than the small town in nova scotia Canada where i live
She doesn't care. She believes the fake news her government shares.
This is what the eu makes u bilive lol
Yep! The minorities and less educated are being targeted.
According to one video I have just seen, they ARE picking men off the street in St Petersburg and Moscow. It was all in Russian so I couldn't understand the commentator. The title was in English, it said that is what is happening.
@@chokolatelatte4764 i culd show u videos of ukraine comiting war crimes no one cares the russians are bad well cous tbe media sed so
Many more women than men on the streets. Way more.
Thank you for sharing I am American here I love Russia and I love the people I want to visit one day
What strange times we live in. I often wonder how things would have been in the 30s and 40s, if they had access to the internet and there was a way for regular people to communicate directly like we can do now with UA-cam, social media, etc.: Brits seeing how things were in the streets in Poland, or how Germans were living. And vice versa. The apparent normality adds to the sheer absurdity of the current situation.
I like to think that it would have changed things, but now it doesn't seem to make much of a difference...
What a world. What a world.
The World will never change when you have brainwashed sheep like these people.
True
Or when the wall went down.
You have to ask yourself why social media platforms are so heavily policed and why Russian news has been deplatformed and any news that deviates from the state department narrative censored? If the internet allows you to find the truth why do they need to censor information, even now they have pentagon trolls called NAFO co trolling the narrative on the Ukraine war on twitter.
Russia was doing the exact same thing in the 30s and 40s. The Holodomor, and in the 40s many Ukrainians were deported to Russia (Siberia) and never heard from again, until the fall of the soviets, when informs became available and families could look up which prison camp cemeteries their loved ones were buried in.
Mainly females. Very few men in the video. That is NOT normal.
I think that people hiding, fleeing and protesting is pretty much close to panic to me. Not being able to protest or express discontent without the risk of being detained is no good
What a tragic decision this whole unnecessary war is. I feel bad for the young men in Russia and the Ukrainians. Thanks for the video.
@@Scrat335 it’s unwarranted, unnecessary, reckless, and inhumane.
@@Scrat335 It is for the Ukrainians who have to defend themselves, but there was no good reason for Russia to invade Ukraine. Ukraine poses no threat to Russia.
@@Scrat335 The powers in Kiev. So why bomb innocent civilians? Why kill children in their homes? The way Russia has been conducting this war is despicable. Putin uses the West and so-called Nazis as a ruse for what is really an effort to build his empire. I have both Russian and Ukrainian friends and none of them want this war.
@@Scrat335 you’re crazy.
Just watching people walking down the street gives no indication of what they are feeling.
From what I have seen, most of the forced mobilizations have been from smaller communities so that it is not as easily recognized or seen. 😢 I advocate for peace. My heart breaks for all the families in both Russia and Ukraine.... as well as many people across the globe..... Venezuela, Haiti, Iran....and more...They are paying the price for the decisions of other people. We are all human and we all want to just be able to live our lives. Thank you for sharing 💖
It saddens me what Russia has become under Putin...yours is a great people and a great nation. Get rid of that tyrant.
I hope you can escape Ksenia and enjoy life in a country where you can have a good future.
St Petersburg and Moscow are not big centers for conscription. From what I have seen, Russia gets most of its mobilization from poor regions, but conscript age men are hiding out. Not many of them on the streets.
everything is under control.there is no panic. no fear. and i will not put myself in danger by filming the policeman.
Yup.. seems legit.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Go to Dagestan and you'll see a different story ...
i think that mobilization in big cities are lesser because Putin avoids panic and chaos there (St. Petersburg and Moscow where the seat of government is located). but in some smaller cities/ towns, the bulk of mobilized citizens are made/enforced.
Russian can put easily 2 million soldiers in the front.. keep wining 😂
I suspect you are showing us the wealthiest part of town, and I don't imagine the most wealthiest young men need to worry about being sent to fight. How do you say "bone spurs" in Russian?
Seeing the normality in St. Petersburg is actually very sickening, when you know what it going on.
This is what struck me the most and you’re right - it is very sickening.
@@asdfasdf6791 Do you really think so?
@@daniellmarcussen2599 the one trying to wage world war as if pretending reluctantly is west. Not Russia.
Life in Kiev, on contrary does not look normal. Today morning lots of private buildings were bombed , people were killed again , by made in Iran kamikaze drones , which flew from Belarus. So glad life in Petersburg is so happy and normal…
Very sad days we’re all living in now a days!! God help us all!
I think the atmosphere is quite different in smaller cities and towns where large numbers of men have been taken away. Putin seems to be concerned about alarming people in Moscow or St Petersburg.
MOSTLY FEMALES.
Maybe nobody left to draft. They already all ran out of Russia.
I am happy that you will be relocating soon. I noticed that you added pay link a few days ago, it works.
Hello Ksenia, thank you for all your great videos and the efforts you put into. I realize the majority of drafted conscript are not from Moscow or St. Petersburg they are from smallest town and villages where is not expose to international or the west maybe place like Siberia for example.
I agree
Russian will defend their country no matter what or from where .. keep wining
@@maleknen1599 There is any invasion or attack to Russia? Does anybody is taking Russian territory or annexing? I hear more wining from Russian than anyone. If Russian like to live under a dictator with a group of elite that is fine, but do not try to impasse to others, respect your Neighbors and focus in the prosperity of the country and the people. You are just full of Kremlin’s propagandists.
I hope it’s safe like you say, but sometimes people act normal because it’s safer to act normal. 🤷♀️
If you noticed approx 70% are women walking.
Thanks for sharing, Ksenia. I hope you can move soon. I sent you a little money via your PayPal link. It's not a lot, but if enough people donate a few dollars each, we can help get you out of there.
Thank you so much!
It is sad to see the normality in St. Petersburg, when people are dying in Ukraine, FOR WHAT? And young Russian men are used as cannon fodder. Is not Russia mourning their 65000 young soldiers, dead??? Are they not mentioned at all? And dead FOR WHAT?
It is so nice that you have a normal life in St. Petersburg. I promise you that life is not normal in Ukraine after your country's illegal invasion of that peaceful country. Slava Ukraine.
What are you doing to help people like you in Ukraine, or to change your government?
St.petersburg and moscow has least recruited for mobilization, it is most from far regions. Keeping the sceen look normal to avoid more panic. No protest if you dont want to go to jail. Even if you will interview people they are afraid to say something about the government. Lay low or you will on the hot spot.
thanks for the video. God Bless You
The mobilized Russian soldiers in Ukraine complained about the poor conditions they're experiencing, so instead they called the Ukrainian hotline to surrender rather than die.
I see a lot of women on the streets but not a lot of young men of mobilization age.
You would not think it was "normal" if you were a 20 year old man.
The good news is Ksenia is a girl, so she can’t be drafted into the military (yet). However, she’s in danger just for saying her mind. The sooner she can get accepted to some archeology program or other the better it’ll be
What can any of us do? We are all subject to the whims of our leaders. May you all have contentment and prosperity wherever you live
I read and saw reports about the drafts and forced inscriptions happening in rural areas.
The bus at 5:56! Everyone is on their phones. It looks exactly like a bus in NYC. Same bored expression on their faces. I wonder if the non-stop time on our phones is worse for our mental health that what any government does. Ksenia, keep showing us life where you are. It gives me hope for the world to see people going about their business without panic or fear.
I am an Australian here in Moscow to spend time with my girlfriend who is a Russian citizen. I have been here since 12 August. I have my feelings about the special military operation which I cannot discuss due to being in Russia. We visited St Petersburg which is a beautiful city. Very nice restaurants. Took a river cruise and met with friends. I agree there doesn't appear to be panic. I have walked past the police speaking English with my girlfriend. The police haven't shown an interest in us as long as you follow Russian law whether a person agrees with it or not. I like St Petersburg more than Moscow though.
If these are the faces of people having a good time on Saturday.... I wonder what they look like when they're depressed! Luckiliy I know a young Russian who lives here and she smiles constantly!
They will become statues.
3:16 I'm always blown away by such great architecture. Thank you! Stay safe!
Hello, I'm from the USA, I remember when I turned 18,I had to sign up for the draft just in case I was needed to serve, now it is my belief that if your country needs you you should defend your country and all of your fellow citizens because your country is definitely there for you when you need them,I am not for going out to harm anyone by any means but if my country needs me then by all means I must serve my country and my fellow citizens I wish you and your fellow citizens and your country the best may God bless everyone of you.
God bless us each and all, and God stop those who for temporal gain decide to set our friends on fire with generational destruction!
Defend is the key word here. Russian soldiers are not defending, Russia is the aggressor here, just a reminder....
Crimea was once Ottoman territory, Ukraine was once Ottoman territory. But we Turks did not attack. However, we Turks did not say that the land of Ukraine is ours. We respect Ukrainian land. Now Russia has attacked the Recognized Ukrainian Land and People. And Ukraine does not have the military power to resist this attack. What Russia is doing is now officially human murder. I support Ukraine. But that doesn't stop me from knowing that there are good people in Russia. If it is left to the Russian people, they will stop this war.
Thank you for your video. I am praying for the safety of everyone and for this war to end.
personally, if I was Russian I would not want to die in this war, in ww2 you were attacked so it was patriotic to go fight, get killed in that type of war wouldn't be so bad. Thats why the guys ran to other countries and they didnt run in 1941 .Personally being away from the country seems smart
@Emma Bartley ukraine wanted to join the EU not NATO in 2014 so russia sent in the so called little green men who made up a false successionist movement
Ksenia, stay safe. We're all hoping your documents are completed soon. You are so very highly motivated and your dreams will surely come true. ❤️
I am more concerned at the 'dreams' of invaded Ukraine coming 'true'.
that billboard solder will be pushing sunflowers up in Ukraine
Lord Have Mercy.
I hope you’re safe ❤ don’t give up and may God protect you!
What you showed us did not look like the city is out of control. I don't know to what extent the protest are. Maybe there will be a time when organized protest will be allowed and no one will feel threatened by it. I hope everyone in Russia stays safe. I pray for the people in Ukraine, i pray no more men are mobilized. It has been a wasted effort and it needs to stop and save what is left of all these beautiful cities and lives. 🙏
Да ужасная атмосфера, что ещё скажешь. У меня мой парень, когда всё это началось, 4 ночи не мог уснуть вообще, за весь день мог выпить только чаю - кусок в горло не лез, у него потом началось что-то вроде панических атак. Уехал в Казахстан. И слава богу! Потом как пошли вот эти новости, что то на стрельбище расстреляли ребят, то не успели доехать до места, ракетный обстрел, то, думаю, лучше пусть сидит в Казахстане и не суётся сюда - он и мне, и своей семье нужен живым!
I saw the report of a couple of new recruits shooting others which was put down to terrorism- all very sad. As someone looking from far away all I can say is I can't blame Vladimir Putin. America financed that coup that replaced a neutral Ukraine to a Pro Nato vassal state of the USA. Putin wwas damned if he took action & doomed if he didn't. I paid little attention to Russia or Ukraine before that coup but being inquiitive sought out news. When young cnhildren in primary schools were being taught songs praising the killing of Russians it was onvious that there would be reaction. Because of this I say Slava Russia but also Slava Ukraine without the instilled hatred.
I see a disparity of young men to young women on the streets in your video, especially groups of young men. You can see groups of young women, but very few groups of young men. There are more single women pedestrians, than similar aged men. You could see couples(male/female) reasonably often. But if you look at pre mobilization street scenes. You see a lot more groups of young men and lots of single male pedestrians, usually more than women.
Saw a similar thing on the streets of Rostov on Don by a Russian vlogger. She seemed happy that "everything was normal"..... while I'm looking at it, thinking to my self. Where are the young men?... It was remarkably stark in that video. Very few men, lots of young women.
I noticed that also.
The number of Russians between the ages of 20 and 29 in the entire country is only 9 million people. The entire society is undergoing demographic collapse (sped up by the war). You should not see many young men on the streets at the best of times. Also the mobilisation age is from 18 to 65. Male life expectancy is 73, healthy life expectancy only 58 for Russian men. Any man you see walking will almost certainly be eligible to go to Ukraine to be killed.
Its "Protesters"- those who protest !
People ARE losing their cool.
I saw a "1420" video a day or two ago and people (many women) almost run away when being asked about the referenda etc.
Introducing martial law probably doesn't lead to a better mood.
Good. Stay there.
In the first part of the video, it seemed like there were more women than men on the streets…maybe by two-to-one. I had to look hard to make sure I wasn’t wrong…but maybe I still am. Idk…
Once they're on the battlefields they have no socks hardly no food and clothing!! You you get out of St Petersburg over to where they are at and take some pictures and make your comments... oh also they have no training some of them, so you stay in the city and talk about how normal it is!!
What I'm not seeing a lot of are military age men on the streets. I've also noted on other sites that some detention vehicles are used by police to put new conscripts in, to be taken to mobilization centers.
Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦
'Z' is the new swastika of the world, and will be recorded in history as such.
Best thing for to keep your mood it is keep away from political subjects 😂😂
I’m really glad you are showing us what is currently going on in Russia our media here in the U.S. doesn’t show what is going on in Russia just in Ukraine.
A voluntary military is better. Those who join want to be there. Reserves stand by ready to respond. If someone uses the draft system, people who don't want to be there are useless. Peace on earth good will to mankind. The sooner the better.
Uhhh that's probably because Russia isn't letting journalists come in and report.
Most of the western media have either left or had their accreditation removed in Russia, so it's harder to get any inside insights into what is happening there .
Last I heard, Ukraine was the country that was and is being invaded.
Calm before the storm
Many rural villages are being stripped of their men. This is hitting rural areas much harder than Moscow and St. Pete.
Is any of that news making its way back to the big cities?
Be careful, stay safe.
Thanks for the information.
I have heard they grab men from church, from places of employment, from apartment buildings and the street and it has reached Moscow and St Petersburgh. If a man I would flee. Or contact I want to live if mobilized.
St. Petersburg is not (yet) the areas where men are mobilized mostly, it is the smaller towns and rurals areas.
Was it your station where a man yelled to speak Russian not English? America was in a war for twenty years , at one point we were fighting in seven countries , back in the states business as usual. Out of sight out of mind
Hi Ksenia my name is Nikolai , i came across your chanel and was watching your other videos about relocating to Bulgaria . I hope everything with your move goes well . If you have any questions about anything feel free to reach out . I know its hard moving to a new country , new language . Im bulgarian so i speak the language . So any questions you have or need help with anything just send me a message . Hope you have a great day 😊
Hi. Have you heard about or from any friends who see conscription paper servers waiting in the lobby of apartment buildings?
I saw one blog and there were three men and one female police officer at the front doors. (Hoping to catch men on the way out. And they arrived at the building as early as 7:00+/-AM!). A woman who lived in the apartment building filmed them and actually confronted them by voicing her opinions!
Hoping for peace and harmony upon Europe and USA. Care for humanity, care for the future of humankind. 💕
Thank you for this update. This is indeed a difficult time. We are lucky to have your insider view on the streets. On a positive side, you showed us many beautiful buildings in this video. Hugs from Kansas.😘🌈
And North Carolina. 🙂
Scraping university entrance exams has to be bad for quality standards.
There are no long lines at the border because Russia has set up mobilization checkpoints at the border, everyone who can escape have escaped.
I appreciate the view of the city but I wouldn't expect much out of the normal to be happening unless there was a protest where you were. I am sure that people discuss their views behind closed doors, not in public view, so I don't think the atmosphere showed here offers much insight. The soldiers away from home, the dead soldiers and the future of the country are obviously on citizens minds...
Ksenia, Wonderful segment . I noticed the grey sky’s and I don’t think I saw one person smiling. Kind of gloomy. Other than that it looked like a typical day just about anywhere. Nice to see your town . My town is St Petersburg, Florida.. Sunny skies. Please be careful . I don’t think you have as much freedom as I have to just walk around carrying a camera. If it doesn’t feel safe it’s not worth it . I hope you can move safely and quickly.
Greetings Ksenia from the Granite State! Thanks for sharing with us. Your city is so beautiful and probably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. After the war is over I want to visit my friends in Russia who I play chess with. Warmest wishes to you from America!
Nazi Germany looked normal in 1939.
Panic and fear are not in Moscow and Peter. You have to go inside the country
I hardly seen any young men on the street of St. Peter. You think is normal.
So far the war has been fought primarily by poor rural Russians. Putin has not drafted from Moscow or St Petersburg because that is where his power base lies. There’s little question the mood in the poor areas would be different because they know their sons aren’t coming back.
Thank you for showing ordinatry life in St. Petersburg. Make love not make war....
It has to be called: make love not spezial oparations.
"Russia has nothing to fear, but fear ITSELF..."
Looks depressing.I’ve seen more cheerful faces at a funeral
I most likely would not protest either. Or run in panic or say or do anything to attract attention to myself.
Thank you for your "walk about" video, super informative. IMO, the general public looks well dressed, relaxed, and there are shopping bags, cell phones, and cups of coffee in their hands. The stores all have lights on, windows are fully displayed and the public seems to have enough time and money to shop. The roadways are busy, the cars look upscale and in good condition, buses are modern and busy ... life looks very normal by anyone's standard. For the citizens of St Petersburg, life goes on.
Stay safe, Ksenia.
It really started in 2008
:) we do the same .only we have recruiters in high schools.
I've heard there's a lot of single women now in Russia
or maybe just more convincing transvestites
Hmmm … your street walk reminds me of a scene in a movie where “everything seems to be normal”. In the movie so many people just walking the streets like they are living normal lives but really, they are in a catatonic state and having the life sucked out of them with the assistance of a nihilistic misanthropist, Agent Smith who is watching, searching, destroying any resistance to the MATRIX. A brilliant movie, fiction …
What is the employment/unemployment situation in St Petersburg like now? A lot of people have disappeared from the labour market due to mobilization or leaving the country. Has this left gaps in the employment market? In theory, with fewer people available for employment, wages should go up (unless the economy is in such a bad state that businesses are closing). Have you noticed any shops shutting outside the malls?
@@nasser-ist Thanks, but my question was about the overall employment situation in St Petersburg, not for highly skilled workers in general - they never have problems.
@@nasser-ist Good to hear. Internet Research Agency must be hiring in droves.
Thanks!
Thank you!