Why people couldn't leave the Soviet Union? Full explanation.

This man's name is Victor and he is studying history, you may have already seen him on our channel, he explained about dictatorship and brainwashing:
• Russian historian gave...
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Why?
3:00 - Could we end up like THIS again?
Filmed by Egor P.
Edited by Daniil Orain.
We have a discord channel, which is available only to those who’re subscribed to our channel. You can subscribe on either KZbin or Patreon, in both of them I publish the link to our discord every month on 10th.

[@maciejmacias4111]

Old man is clever. Must be hard for him living in Russia and being surrounded by zombies. Bless him. Love from Scotland.

[@wanderingwarrior5626]

Believe me, same in U.S.! Why I no longer live there.

[@TalibanAtrocities]

We Scots need to get that terrorist funder out. The 750k he sent to gaza could and should have went to Ukraine

[@johanswede8200]

It is not the same. Period.

[@v71123]

@@wanderingwarrior5626 ты рашистский бот )))

[@storm5514]

@@wanderingwarrior5626this soooo absurd that not worth even denying

[@csakiro]

"I don't see such nation,I only see a population" thats deep and hard

[@kessekesse9544]

Russian propaganda likes to depict the countries that it occupied as some sort of African tribes who had nothing before "great" Russia brought them civilization. When in fact it was the other way round - Russian barbarians invading more advanced countries. My country Estonia was at that time even ahead of Finland and without Russian interference we could easily be on the same level as Finland and Scandinavian countries right now. Look at what Russia has become without its delicious colonies like the Baltic States - degrading every day more and more towards the level of the Stone Ages. Because Russia is not a civilized country. It has no nation, only a population, like this man says.

[@ikuturso7570]

That is also happening elsewhere. In west we have quite a lot of 2nd gen migrants who identify more to their parent country/culture than to the country whose citizens they are and where they live

[@curiositykillsthecat]

​​@@ikuturso7570off topic.. It seems like some of you have the superpower to link any topics to your own troublesome issues. Which migrants? Which countries? Which gen? The one who fought in WW1& WW2 to free a country which wasn't their? Here were are talking about oppression & totalitarian system and its consequences. Keep the 2 subjects separated!

[@JoeBlack14]

@@curiositykillsthecat I can tell you from experience, many Hispanics come to America and praise their own country foolishly and shiiit on America. They wave the Mexican flag and say America is bad, even burning American flags. That is only one example. There are many other migrants that do the same from other countries. No one is talking about WW1 or WW2, back then people respected being free, because they saw how bad it was to be oppressed by dictators.

[@helgeschneider9069]

@@ikuturso7570 oh, its funny, how us is working so great.....with all these migrants.....

[@atatat54321]

For him it must be like living in an insane asylum and being the only sane person. Horrifying.

[@fluestergefuehle]

This!

[@kipponi]

Something like that.

[@fredfred2363]

Yep. 🇬🇧

[@sdrc92126]

“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” Marcus Aurelius

[@MrAnarchocapitalist]

A lunatic is a minority of one.

[@patriciapetersen904]

I love this guy. But what a depressingly clear-sighted evaluation of his fellow citizens.

[@puraLusa]

The depressing part is that it can be a universal description of voters in some democratic countries.

[@user-zc4sj5by8z]

Guy?

[@johanswede8200]

​@@puraLusaName those countries!!!

[@rempseaheinamies9414]

@@johanswede8200 Pretty much all of them.

[@KuroNekoExMachina]

@@puraLusaWhataboutism, but fck it.

[@ChrisModjeska]

This is maybe my favorite interviewee. This man is a gem.

[@sealttwo-013]

So was that older woman a couple of months ago. Talking to both of them at the same time would be fantastically enlightening.

[@scottwilson999]

He's second to the elderly woman a few months back.

[@Stop-propaganda]

Why the US is turning into a cesspit?? Dangerous to live. Why the US isn’t safe??

[@antoinepetrov]

This is the side of Russia I like to see. Intellectual, informed, elegant. Like Pushkin, Tchaikovsky, Tarkovsky...

[@williamsunltd6921]

Such people are very few in Russia. I have never seen such a generation of brain washed people.

[@JohnGalt539]

Pushkin while wasn’t a Russian by nationality was an incredible Russophile there is a reason he is a national hero even Dostoevsky another Russophile was greatly inspired by Pushkin

[@haeuptlingaberja4927]

Ah, but then there was great Kropotkin, who feared neither Lenin nor that nasty, two-bit gangster "Stalin."

[@osip7315]

his death by duel is the craziest thing as he had the first shot and fired into the air , but the toxic bastard up against him still shot him and went on to live a long successful life, a lesson on not giving quarter to arseholes actually his wife whose reputation he was defending was a bitch too, likely sleeping with the czar@@JohnGalt539

[@MsMoonlightlily]

​@@JohnGalt539Excuse me, what exactly do you mean by saying that Pushkin was not Russian?? His great granddad was not Russian, that's it!! Does this fact make him not Russian?! Absolutely not!! Pushkin thought of himself as being Russian and nothing else!!

[@vulgar_scabby_beaver]

His fear is gone, the state has no more power over him.

[@pupsiuspupuliukas2394]

Becausw he is old and the time for him to join a revolution has passed. The US was founded primarily by men in their 20's and 30's. Youth challenges the old. This may happen in Russia if enough young people.die.in Ukraine and those that remain realize that better to make a new system than die for the old one. There is a reason older people are not drafted into the military. That is because they simply will not listen.

[@philipnehiley6579]

I'm not convinced that the state ever had real power over him.🤔

[@wanderingwarrior5626]

@@philipnehiley6579 Only the truly free, since a early age, will understand that. So few of us!

[@francisdec1615]

@@wanderingwarrior5626 The NPC is the norm here in the West as well.

[@DrakeN-ow1im]

@@wanderingwarrior5626Very few Noam Chomskys amongst us, and George Carlin is no longer with us.

[@yamaneko-ex8fy]

Impressing well educated and the truth speaking man. My deep respect to him.

[@Pioneer_DE]

Very smart individual you interviewed, very interesting.

[@elisabethperrin8604]

When your newspaper is called Pravda you know that there is a huge problem with the leaders.

[@Kievskaya-Rus]

?​@@elisabethperrin8604

[@echo9phpe]

A great man, I could listen to him for hours on end. You will not find a better friend in Russia.

[@leiflillandt1488]

The big problem in Russia is that people like him, will be gone in already 20 years! That means people born after the year 2000 can't talk with anyone who lived in the Soviet union, and experienced the 1990s. The result is that it's much more difficult to understand "today", when you don't exactly know "yesterday". It's not the same thing to read books or look at films. It's the discussion you learn from.

[@ernstraedecker6174]

He's been interviewed on this channel before, a month or two ago. Also very interesting.

[@ciararespect4296]

​@@leiflillandt1488we can keep going on like that in history. Nobody learns because the old people die and the young listen to their peers

[@joannebooth640]

​@@leiflillandt1488 History is written by the Victor. That was the problem

[@ME2K23]

​@@leiflillandt1488... specially when the books are full of 'history" dictated by the kremlin's propaganda

[@traceythompson3162]

I could sit down with this gentleman and listen to what he has to say, he was very intelligent and interesting love from uk

[@leiflillandt1488]

The problem is that most of what he can talk about or know, is known partly since 1950-60, the rest from 1991-2000.

[@helgeschneider9069]

yeah, it is often very profitable listen to ld, intelligent persons. they can help you a lot to avoid big mistkaes from there experience. in every realtion.

[@coolorphans]

You'd be mistaken that he'd want to talk to you. I highly doubt you're much different than the NPCs he's talking about.

[@peterhowells7309]

Greetings from Scotland! One man with intelligence, accurate statements and personality but without fear! If only there were a few million more..........

[@sataniccabal4276]

I'm sorry, what intelligence? "People are leaving our country, therefore it is bad". No analysis, no consideration of historical context, just whining about the grass being greener on the other side.

[@peterhowells7309]

@@sataniccabal4276 If you don't have the intelligence to recognise a well read, intelligent person when he speaks, then I will not try to change your mind. Have a good life!

[@sataniccabal4276]

@@peterhowells7309 Please look in the mirror. All you and the guy in the video are doing is begging the question. USSR/Russia is bad because they’re not western, and since they’re not western they’re bad. It’s just empty tribalism, with the guy in the video having a complex of self-pity and self-hate. That guy screams “had I been born in the west my life would have been so much better and I wouldn’t have any problems whatsoever, and since that never happened, I’ll make that my identity for the rest of my life”.

[@peterhowells7309]

@@sataniccabal4276 You appear to be looking for an argument? It's not going to happen. You have your opinion, I have mine. I will not change my opinion. End of conversation.

[@MissTurandot1]

A true intellectual. Very well informed.Thank you, Sir.

[@Stop-propaganda]

Бывшие сотрудники ФБР предупредили конгресс об угрозе вторжения мигрантов в США, пишет Fox News. По их словам, опасность связана с тем, что большое количество мигрантов призывного возраста могут начать нападать на безоружных граждан. Чаще всего мигранты - выходцы из районов, которые США связывают с терроризмом, и граждане России и Китая, которые являются геополитическими противниками США, сказано в письме экс-чиновников

[@Phoenix-ov5gg]

It must be so hard for him to live in such an environment…

[@user-sr9qm6of5o]

The average Russian will accuse him of being Ukrainian or American spy

[@tekpic04]

We can say the same for a Westerner in the West.

[@jorr1334]

​@@tekpic04be happy under pukin.

[@iberiano-ls2rv]

​@@tekpic04 what do you mean please?

​@@iberiano-ls2rv Whataboutism is the core of russian propaganda. It is always.. Muh America too! Or Muh West too!

[@doogleticker5183]

@@tekpic04- Everywhere, people are often gullible to propaganda. The woke West…it is a political movement but many Westerners don’t recognize it that way, the rubbish about the great US military is also clearly propaganda (just look at all the boondoggles like the Navy’s LCSs and Zumwalts), the assumption that F-35 jet fighters will never get close enough to dogfight(!), the invincibility of carriers), demonizing a broken Iraq in 2003 - propaganda, and it is worse in other Western countries that also control the media or speech (Canada for example). Yes, Russians « tend » to be extremely uninformed on the surface and live in a state of fear of saying something unpatriotic, but they are not alone. One good thing about old age is that as you approach the end of your life, some people finally speak the truth…and are more accurate than taught history because they had witnessed actual history. What a wonderful project it would be to gather our elders thoughts on today’s problems…I guess that’s what some people do. Perhaps it would be better to do what Daniil has done here…get the smart ones to talk! Thanks to the 1420 team. ❤

[@williamsunltd6921]

Daniil, thanks so very much for this interview. The old man is very educated and Intelligent. Love and peace to him

[@Yuushiboy]

Can only say this man is a legend! Intelligent and he knows what he is talking about!

[@salad7776]

this man has clearly left the Matrix, although he has the misfortune of being in it all the time

[@EhmedCousCous]

Shut up

[@amyhogarten5038]

He has the clarity to see that he is in “a” Martix. Unfortunately there are those in the West who are too lazy, fat and/or happy to see that around them is just another Matrix. This statement is not made in support of Marxism, Putinism, Authoritarianism, Trumpism, or any other ideological lenses. It’s made as a realist living in a 21st Century World where we are all a member of one of the Oligarchical Super States with varying degrees and methods of control and manipulation of the population. Are some better than others? Perhaps, depends on who you ask. But for how long? Each of these Super States has as one of its principal goals the complete homogeneity over what is and what is not reality. Now all over the world we mobilize in full for The Cold War 2.0. We will see, in the short term, populations being able to fatten their wallet a bit as we ramp up back into wartime economies. However the vast waste of time, capital and resources is analogous to digging holes and then filling them back in again. The ability of any population to think critically at the grassroots level as this gentleman is doing, is the last thing any Oligarchary wants. They want unquestionable blindness, obedience and faith: nothing more and nothing less.

[@blackcountryme]

The world needs people like him, not just Russia....

[@nonamegirl9368]

And that's the comment I was looking for❤

[@shortaybrown]

Great Interview! He gets it , he’s a actually a smart Russian. It’s amazing! I also think he makes an important point about why he or anyone else wouldn’t speak out against Putin when the majority of the Russian population doesn’t think independently and wouldn’t want a democratic government anyway. I wish there were more people like him who understand politics, and The West.

[@lgnfve]

My parents escaped the soviet union. it was hard and they faced death,

[@Heopful]

What country and year?

[@danielhess6261]

@@Heopful, WHAT?

[@GrandMoffTarkinsTeaDispenser]

@@danielhess6261 The Soviet Union was made up of many republics. He's just asking if his parents were estonian, russian, kazakshtani...

[@zie9171]

They were brave. How did they get out??

[@valuetraveler2026]

you will be faced with the same challenge except there will be nowhere much better to escape to

[@victoratalaia1]

Congratulations brave man! You made a perfect analysis of your country and your life. And, above all, you are a fearless and inteligent man. Have a long and happy life. You deserve it.👏👏👏

[@a.k2156]

Being smart, intellectual and fearless will not guarantee long and happy life in that country, unfortunately. Most likely its the opposite

[@victoratalaia1]

@@a.k2156 You’re right. Unfortunately it happens very often. Such is life!

[@Stop-propaganda]

Бывшие сотрудники ФБР предупредили конгресс об угрозе вторжения мигрантов в США, пишет Fox News. По их словам, опасность связана с тем, что большое количество мигрантов призывного возраста могут начать нападать на безоружных граждан. Чаще всего мигранты - выходцы из районов, которые США связывают с терроризмом, и граждане России и Китая, которые являются геополитическими противниками США, сказано в письме экс-чиновников

[@danielgg4671]

Protect this man at all costs

[@xagent]

My mother was growing up in 70-80 in USSR. She told me that she had a friend who was working as a sailor. He was telling a lot about capitalistic countries, he was telling that reality was completely different from TV and newspapers. But mother didn't believe any word of him despite all arguments he told her. Unfortunately, the same thing is going on right now in Russia. I see how most of my family support the war against of Ukraine and how they believe all propaganda on TV. But when you're trying to talk with them with facts they just deny everything and call you a traitor. Actually, that's very sad and very hard.

[@leszekladzinski73]

putin the grate Kim junk un even GREATEST soon RUSSIAN FEDERACIN finely be live in peace like north Korea ...

[@trollfake9578]

And this will end up like ussr did. ru ppl and govt denying simple facts will fall and bankrupt like ussr did. "china will help" - no, china will CONSUME ru. 8-6k years of history of Chinese civilization taught them that helping others is money wasted. There is no ru-china alliance. It's PUTIN-china friendship, because putin has burnt all the bridges with the west and he has to sell ru to China in order to sustain war and keep his life. And as "putin" I mean the whoe KGB mafia on top, not just one person. That's why IMHO Navalny was assasinaed NOT by ru services, but rather by CHINA. Because Navalny was opportunity for ru to leave chinese domination and reset with west. It would jeopardize all chinese plans.

[@itsjustme4848]

It like talking to my Trump supporting relative. Facts he doesn’t want to hear are all lies to him.

[@Tsagia]

@@itsjustme4848 Oh,but you voted for Biden?

[@itsjustme4848]

@@Tsagia I didn’t like the choices, but I decided we had had enough chaos with Trump. And since then, most of his staff has said he’s not qualified to be President. How is that not persuasive?

[@lilymay7171]

I could listen to this guy all day.

[@chapmansbg]

Wise man, it is a shame that more Russians don't listen to this honesty.

[@wanderingwarrior5626]

Most of the world is ruling class brainwashed. They had centuries to complete that task, with the full support, cooperation of the masses.

[@KuroNekoExMachina]

​@@wanderingwarrior5626 Except all the revolutions, but we better not talk about those... /s

[@wanderingwarrior5626]

@@KuroNekoExMachina Especially when talking about who was really behind Lenin, global agenda. Shhhhhh!

[@tomekkrysa6787]

@@wanderingwarrior5626 I don't know what you're taking in the US, but you better stop

[@helgeschneider9069]

@@wanderingwarrior5626 yes, and you have a aluminum hut on your head.....right?

[@marianneskanland310]

He is outspoken AND well informed. Very admirable, such people are what the world needs.

[@sunny_muffins]

After speaking to 100 people he found the one who is not afraid of the truth.

[@happyhedgewytch4573]

Wow!!! Awesome interview!!!

[@RPRosen-ki2fk]

Thank you, I like being reminded, that there are still intelligent russians, that shouldn't be hated. Sadly I think this gentleman is correct and speaks the truth. Bless the 1%. Slava Ukraine.

[@CMB21497]

I don't think most people are "Russophobes". I think they are Putinophobes. Some simple minded sheep buy into everything they are told. Is it really their fault, or the is it the fault of the people telling those sheep the lies? Now, the ones sent to fight that commit atrocities, they're just sick criminals and should be dealt with accordingly.

[@fromrussianstreets9687]

Ну вот откуда цифра в один процент? По каким статистике, опросам и данным она взялась? У меня нет иллюзии относительно большинства и меньшинства, но такие заявления просто вырубают меня

[@andersgrassman6583]

@@fromrussianstreets9687 I don't think he claims it's the specific figure "1%". The idea is it's extremely rare in his view.

[@tarmynastyr]

@@fromrussianstreets9687 It's a figure of speech but I bet you are part of the majority that supports Putin.

[@fromrussianstreets9687]

@@tarmynastyr I left just one comment claiming nothing that would reveal my point of view

[@GRILL332]

I could set with him all afternoon and ask questions. What an interesting guy! A walking history lesson.

[@stufromoz8164]

Cheers from Australia , this man is as good as the old lady who spoke so openly.

[@sephirothfemto]

Wait a second....we need entire interview

[@tonepoet]

How did this guy get so smart and everyone else remain so clueless??

[@relicofgold]

Propaganda + really really ignorant people........just like MAGA Usonians.

[@bobbyd6680]

He kept his head out of the sand, with his eyes and ears open.

[@tompaah7503]

It's easy to accept blatant lies if you believe that will make your life more comfortable.

[@dillondavillian3920]

Everyone is smart and aware. Not everyone is brave. It has more to do with fear.

[@berg8970]

Age plays a major role in his critical thinking ability. with age comes wisdom, usually.

[@krollpeter]

It is not only what he says. It is also how he explains his views. Brilliant!

[@StayPrimal]

Dang that man is spitting truth left and right

[@sansovino4124]

What an interesting bloke. I'd like to see a full interview with him.

[@justdeaf-ry6bn]

Smart guy here. He's been there and done that.

[@Nancy-mi3xe]

This guy is telling you some truths, and warning you of what's to come, especially for young men. Bravo,Victor!

[@twisterwiper]

Holy shlt. That was deep. Really insightful and explained a lot about the thought process of those who don't walk in line.

[@myloarcher1373]

Good man

[@mikerichter1694]

What an outstanding gentleman!

[@2minutes2midnite23]

This man is educated, informed and a brave human being. I love that he recalls the past as it really was and not through the rose tinted glasses so many seem to be wearing. Thankyou for interviewing him! ❤

[@blackcountrylad464]

This man is a TRUE russian patriot. An intelligent man who understands the truth about his country and his people. Looking through the comments, the trolls can only manage half hearted attempts at pretending they live in the West and claiming it's no different there. Laughable. Slava Ukraini from the UK 🇬🇧🇺🇦💛💙

[@pliat]

it really isnt though, what he says about the vast majority of people is true in any country.

[@blackcountrylad464]

@@pliat No. No it isn't. But good try 🤡

[@avanty616]

what a golden man

[@adstix]

Clear thinking man!

[@jamesmccallum6770]

I could listen to this man for hours. A wealth of knowledge and experience. Thank you for posting this.

[@ericplace367]

My deepest respect for this intelligent and wise man.

[@karrane879]

He was spot on. It was extremely refreshing. Thank you so much for this man's interview!

[@dys1525]

Dudes like him are your real national treasure. Protect them at all costs

[@sundance2421]

This is NOT a dude, this is a MAN!

[@telebubba5527]

Kudo's to him for not getting his head mixed up, like so many others. He still has a very clear view of the history and what's going on today. Chapeau monsieur!

[@industrialtribe8441]

2nd interview and always so accurate ! Merci !

[@Z8Q8]

This is one of your 2 best interviews! Both are realists, they understand much, are willing to speak freely, and are profound thinkers. (hope you go see this man in private and learn more... no cameras tho', in order to preserve both of you.)

[@Euroscot9155]

Wow what an interview with a fantastic, smart and aware gentleman.

[@TedRobak]

Wow, great interview: the interviewee made it unforgettable.

[@mevludz]

Good interview

[@urdnal]

This guy's an OG. Reminds me of all my family members that grew up in the PRL.

[@notyetsilenced9746]

Absolutely brilliant commentary. Thanks!

[@judithbg5588]

But look at the vast size of Russia, and the isolation of communities kept in ignorance by the schools and media. A tragic fate for so many…

[@mikefixac]

It's as if he's living in a box, but also, he's outside the box looking in. Tremendous insight. I've never seen such clearness. Brilliant man.

[@grandpajoe9851]

Awesome interview!!

[@Franciscofontesg]

This man has genuine knowledge and wisdom i would love to have a conversation with him. Learn some shit from someone who knows!

[@Carldehaese]

It's good to see that Russia still has some smart people!

[@cristiandecu]

Russia has quite a lot of smart people but they are not useful for the regime; smart people are not useful for any regime that plans to strengthen its control over the population. Imagine Putin trying to explain why he needs to take out against Ukrainian nazis in front of a Duma made out of smart people. He would be sent back to school or a psychiatric hospital at once.

[@aleong.9566]

more smart people than the US certainly.

[@dogesniper9569]

Based banner.Much love from Romania.

[@SiggyMe]

This was very educationally he did have many valid points. Especially about a Nation verses a population living together. His evaluation of the situation is on point for the current times and what he said about what happened during Stalin with 2 million turning in the neighbor sounds like what happened in East Germany with lesser consequences. Make living difficult enough for a population then offer them unobtainable rewards except those offered by the state in return for doing very nasty things. An eye opener for sure. What is the question? How many Russians does it take to be planted on the wrong side of the grass before the population gets it and pulls the switch on who is killing them?

[@micindir4213]

During serfdom period (slavery) it was OK for community to send someone to army forb25 years, so they'd get some sweet $$$. So there is no limit. They would never get it. Bolsheviks were glaring minority (2% vote or something )

[@michaelopheim7549bmw]

Goose bumps...i got a chill listening to him..he was in fact

[@Ethergirl]

This man Victor is brilliant. Thank you, Daniil for this great interview. My impression is that he is just old enough to have been educated when at least SOME ( not all ) Russians got an education that included critical thinking skills, enough for him to have his eyes opened as a young adult to the BS of the Soviet Union. The smarter young people whom you sometimes interview probably acquire these thinking skills from a parent or older relative, not so much at school. Victor expressed the conundrum well; if such a huge majority of Russians of all ages are this disconnected from the idea of taking some kind of control over their country where is the incentive for aware people like him, even younger ones, to risk everything to protest. This is the tragedy of "depoliticized" nation of people. Vlad Vexler, a political philosopher who emigrated from the Soviet Union as a child, talks about this a lot in his KZbin videos, I recommend them.

[@mijusa4724]

Wise man. Respect ! Hugs to him from Finland! 💖

[@francescorosa3451]

Really sharp in his analysis, and to the point.

[@beurling-um8qy4hh5n]

Impressive! By asking questions, you end up getting answers. Congratulations Mr. Orain.

[@ivetamandla1257]

He speaks EAXACTLY as it was. Our Baltic countires Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania were under Russians til 1991. All kind of scam people wrote reports on others during Stalin time after the end of WW II. They were called knockers. My mother told me that my grandfather was a farmer and his farm was taken away with all the cattle. They had no food. My grandmother had sugar illness and died of malnutrition, leaving 3 small children behind. I never saw my grandparents, they died before my birth because of all that. But nice people also existed in Soviet Union time, especially in 80-ies there were good university and school teachers, architects, composers, actors, scientists etc.

[@user-zy1vp2sw9c]

I am Estonian. What made us different from the rest of Soviet Union (of course, not the only thing) and also probably the rest of the Baltics is that we had access to Finnish TV. And that changed f...ng everything. We saw the rest of the world through TV all the time. And, seriously, to a great extent, it saved us. It saved our country and our culture and because of it, very much because of that, we have become A VERY democratic, very fre (too free, actually) country. What we saw through Finnish TV just made us know that Soviet Union is crap, not norma, and it will die soon anyway. And then life in a normal way will go on. And I was completely sure from childhood (born in 1974) that I will spend the majority of my life in a free country, in aa free Estonian Republic. There was never any zombiness or belief in Soviet propaganda. Not that I saw any. It was all very clear that it is all a mistake, and mistakes tend to end one day. Of course, there are many other reasons why we managed to become a normal country. (And there are many things I am critical about in Estonia, we are not heaven by any means, a lot still has to change) but basically, we have become a normal country with normal values and freedoms and a pretty normal quality of life. The fact that we, by nature, have always been critical and doubtful about whoever is in power. We still are. Nobody here ever likes the current prime minister, for example, no matter who he or she happens to be at the moment.... We want to have a say in everything, take part in running things. So we do not think of the state as "them" but "us". We have had a very good quality of education, in Estonian, for centuries. This is extremely important, this creates the basics of an educated elite who even capable of not only creating but also maintaining a State. I could go on and on. Also, we are egalitarian by nature, and a small nation. In small nations, zombiness is impossible. There are so few people that everyone is important. So you either survive or die, small nations do not become zombies. All the things I talkd about in my second paragraph, are also characteristic of Latvia and Lithuania. But unfortunately you had no Finnish TV. Maybe you had an alternative, some other free country"s press, I don"t know. But this is extremely important. Propaganda of course, to a certain extent, exists everywhere. Nobody ever is completely neutral, this is not possible. Everything is from someone"s point of view. But the important thing is, that if you do not go along with the "proper thinking" you will not be arrested. Only if you physically attack someone while doing it. But we have always been very critical and satirical about the "government", the "truth", things like that. Propaganda just would not work here. It takes certain kind of people to fall for it. People that have large amounts of poorly educated masses, to begin with. Estonians have always been very educated. Education is a kind of a religion here. Everyone goes to university like people would go to church in some other places. It is the sacred place to go to, not because you plan to work in whatever field you are getting a degree in. The shit that some people did to each other is a different matter. There are bad people everywhere. We had them too. But not the majority. The knockers existed but as an exception. But enough so that people were afraid they might come across some, so beter be careful. Not say certain things openly, etc. But that did not affect actual thoughts and thinking in people2s homes

[@bentos117]

well, there were traitors, ofc... in any society one can find certain people who are ready to collaborate with occupational forces... then there were communists, ready to serve Moscow because of ideology... thing is that they were a small minority... all deportations were organized by Soviets, who tasked local officials with preparing list of people, for each district, imposing quotas... you really cannot say that Latvians wrote reports en-masse about each other... we are not Russians and Latvia is not Russia... also, especially between categories of those "nice people" you mentioned the number of collaborants with KGB was highest of all

[@anthonyfuqua6988]

I was in Estonia with the U.S. Army in 2019. I soldier told me part of their training is being thrown in the snow all night with a live rabbit. It was up to you to let it live or make clothes out of it. He may have been pulling my leg. I don't know.

[@user-zy1vp2sw9c]

In Estonia? A soldier thrown in the snow all night fighting a rabbit? Seriously? .... Definitely not. First of all, we have a very high degree of respect for animals. That is what we are brought up with. We are not vegans, we still eat meat and stuff like that. But we do not torture animals for idiotic reasons. We are very mindful that every animal is treated with as much respect and dignity as possible. We do not knowingly create situations were that would not be possible. Dogs (I think dogs are the only animals used) in our army, customs and police are treated exceptionally well. They have a perfect life every day. According to some study (I am too lazy right now to look for the exact source :)) Estonian police and army dogs are the best treated and mentally and physically healthiest in the world. SO, if we do that then this simply does not fit in with the profile of aa rabbit torturer :) And it would be illegal. The animal welfare society would have sued them very long ago. In short, the guy was pulling your leg, yes@@anthonyfuqua6988

[@stpedro-ht9ng]

Insane. And marxist tankies on the internet still simp for the USSR and try to rewrite history to erase the atrocities.

[@kamikazeabe-ru8735]

Incredibly sharp, would love to learn from him

[@miskomarkovic3446]

Beautiful mind! Veliki pozdrav iz Jugoslavije

[@kbelyavs]

His words are so universal! Applicable to almost any country.

[@wiv2631]

This gentleman is as intelligent, aware and practical as you could hope for any fellow citizen to be. May his life be a long one.

[@anglaiseurophoning8998]

An Amazing man! So intelligent and right in his analyses

[@cynthiaescamilla2649]

I love this guy. He’s one of the most intelligent people I’ve heard talk, from any country, about what’s REALLY going on. I wish there were a billion more like him.

[@jelleybean001]

Clearly this man speaks from experience and acquired wisdom. I remember how my family members in East Germany lived under Russian rules and how they were told about the evil West, but most of them knew better. We weren't even allowed to write to them and when we finally could, years later, the letters were opened to make sure the photos were only of family, no hint of what the West looked like, no monuments, politics etc. Those were crazy times. I still have a letter from my Grandfather, who was punished by the KGB for talking to a Canadian Hockey player about Canada and someone overheard them.

[@berg8970]

I was living in Germany when the wall came down. I still have a piece of the Berlin Wall. I bought a Russian monocular from a former East German shortly around that time. Many former East Germans were selling things just to get by then. I always suspected the Russian military was a paper tiger aside from the nukes. That just further solidified my thoughts in that regard. They couldn't even afford binoculars and had to split them up.

[@jelleybean001]

@@berg8970 Interesting story. I was in Berlin in 1989, when the Wall came down. I also have a piece of the wall. I have so many memories, even though I was a child and we lived right next to the Wall in Berlin. So many innocent people perished trying to defect and we saw the names written on the wall to honor them. I remember being so scared when we would visit and of course always brought certain food items unavailable in the East for our Grandparents, Aunt and cousins. If we weren't back at the border by midnight, the guards would give us a hard time, not all of them, but some and sometimes they would not let us in for no reason. Like I said, I have so many stories. It's hard to imagine this kind of thing going on now, but sadly some people are still oppressed in some countries. I think that's why we really truly value our freedom.

[@rachelnise2473]

I had a pen friend in East Germany. She wanted a tape by Culture Club. I sent one. The letter was opened and returned stating prohibited goods.

[@jelleybean001]

@@rachelnise2473 That's so sad, but it happened all the time, and music was definitely not allowed. It's hard to believe how they controlled everything.

[@TheBrutalDeluxe]

@@rachelnise2473 Hmm, I wonder whether it was down to the tape being "prohibited goods" or poor musical taste.😉

[@nicolasdaum6185]

Hello. It's an interesting interview. I want to make a remark about a detail. The Communist Party newspaper was widely known in the West, at least in France, as the 'Pravda'. Probably not all people knew the translation : the Truth. Your interviewee makes a little mistake when he says there was nothing true in the Pravda. As a Soviet adage was saying: there is one truth in it, the price. One day in the 1980's a French publisher released the complete translation in French of one edition of the Pravda, using the same fonts, the same paper, etc. It was mindblowing! It seemed totally surrealistic to us. Continue with the good job.

[@larswhitt1549]

Very good interview! The man also explain why no change is comming. There is nothing to sacirfice ones life for, only people that have no idea what they want, no country that keep people together. Thats why Putin can keep in power so easy.

[@AlexandruMircea-xs4pu]

What a smart person is this Gentleman/ Thank YOU SIR.

[@JunkerOnDrums]

Thank you Victor - We share the same views - may the good in man prevail.

[@ahones2255]

For those who do not already know it, I would like to recommend the book "I, Maya Plisetskaya", which is the autobiography of the great ballerina, where she tells of her life during those interesting years in the history of Russia, which helps to understand the structure and functioning of such a repressive society.

[@christopherwall444]

What a FANTASTIC captured moment of intelligence and clarity...soo great!! Thank you!

[@maladjustedmalcontent1532]

Excellent question Daniil :)

[@BengtLofqvist]

Learned a lot by him. Not many people has the power to think independently.

[@Crmsnraider]

My grandfathers best friend from childhood kowtowed to the Germans in Yugoslavia got a “position” and power in the village from them then turned him in and others and he got sent to concentration camp. In night he escaped and had the fight of his life trying to get home. Almost died many times and from hunger. 3 of my 4 grandparents somehow lived through concentration camps thank goodness. Bad power is no good, people are changed whether the victims or being changed by the power…and this is not for the better.

[@bartekj9851]

One of the best interviews I've seen

[@danielmartini3229]

very interesting hearing his views and listening to his experiences

[@georgegarcia566]

Important historical perspective. Really informs the motivation behind inaction. Brave man for sharing his thoughts.

[@ivog9243]

This guy went through a lot, but kept his sanity. I am not half as strong as him. I wish him all the best

[@fredfred2363]

One of your very best videos Daniil. Great interview.

[@Pwelvr]

He is thinking at many levels He has seen it all. I admire this street philosopher.

[@Rip_Van_Winkl]

Daniil, I wish that wise man knew that there are thousands of people who have seen the interview who admire and respect him and thanks to him we still believe there is hope in Russia. Thank you.

[@zeNoldor]

Hello! This person almost tells you in simple text: THERE IS NO HOPE!!!! there are very few people like him and they themselves are under the threat of repression, and the majority of the population are ZOMBIZED and pose a danger to him and other peoples. This is the same, if not worse, than the Soviet Union! Please wake up, THIS IS THE ENEMY and he now has friends much stronger than before

[@CMB21497]

A truly honest man.

[@bart170]

God bless this man of truth. Some light in the darkness

[@user-rc4qh3lp7h]

Need a longer interview with this man he has some genuine insight here that we don’t understand in the west.

[@joshbruns7403]

“Most people can’t think for themselves, let alone think critically” Yup, I feel him on that one.

[@gunillamelkersson7603]

A very brave and wise man. Greetings from Sweden.

[@kabzooj88]

The best interview I saw on this channel so far.