Russian War Supporters Wearing Only Swimsuits at Minus 22 Degrees Celsius

150 Residents Gather at Blagoveshchensk Square
Support Campaign for Ukraine War... Pouring Cold Water on Themselves

In a region of Russia, 150 residents gathered in swimsuits despite the bitter cold of minus 22 degrees Celsius to hold a 'war support' event.

According to the British newspaper The Times on the 17th (local time), the event took place at Blagoveshchensk Square, located 4,800 miles (about 7,700 km) east of Moscow, the Russian capital. In the opening remarks of the event, the local official Nadezhda Bagrova said, "Today, we have come to support those who have taken brave actions in the name of the motherland," adding, "We will show the unbreakable resilience of the Russian people." However, Bagrova was reportedly not participating in the event.

A Twitter post reporting the pro-Ukraine campaign by residents of Blagoveshchensk, Russia.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

After her speech, 150 people gathered in swimsuits at the square, regardless of gender or age, picked up red buckets placed in front of them. They immediately lifted the buckets above their heads and poured the cold water inside over their bodies. It resembled a group version of the 'Ice Bucket Challenge,' a donation relay involving pouring ice water over oneself.

As the participants became soaked, about 500 people who had gathered to cheer them on shouted in unison. The atmosphere was heightened by the song "Forward, Russia!" by Russian pop star Oleg Gazmanov, known as a prominent supporter of Putin, playing at the venue. Released in 2015, the song conveys a message of overcoming past hardships and continuing to overcome future crises.

Alexander Nevzorov, a Russian dissident and former well-known journalist, said on social media, "Now we know how many lunatics there are in Blagoveshchensk." He is currently exiled in Italy after leaving Russia.

Russia's 'war support' events will continue. On the 22nd, Russia plans to hold a war support concert at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium. It is reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin will also attend the event, which will feature performances by pop stars and rock bands.

The Guardian: "Russia is creating a 'digital ghetto' in occupied territories"

Some foreign media have pointed out that in the occupied territories of Ukraine, Russia is providing local residents with free satellite channels, effectively creating a 'digital ghetto.' A ghetto refers to a residential area legally designated for Jews to live in the past. In other words, Russia is trying to control the residents of the occupied Ukrainian territories by blocking their access to outside information.

Russia's satellite channels, called 'Russkiy Mir (Russian World),' consist of 20 Russian channels and 10 specially produced regional channels. These satellite channels focus on delivering the message that the great Russia is being undermined by Western hostile forces. Additionally, Russia has blocked the Ukrainian internet network within the occupied territories. Using Ukrainian frequencies, it broadcasts radio programs focused on propaganda and agitation.