Partner on this video: KYIV OF MINE Watch the trailer now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arJUcE1rxY0'Kyiv of Mine' is a documentary series about Ukraine’s beautiful capital, Kyiv. The film production began in 2018, and much has changed since then. It is now 2025, and this story is far from over.https://www.youtube.com/@UCz6UbVKfqutH-N7WXnC5Ykg https://www.kyivofmine.com/#theprojectKyiv of Mine is fast paced, beautifully filmed, humorous, fun, insightful, heartbreaking, moving, hopeful. The very antithesis in fact of a doom-laden and worthy wartime documentary. This is a work that is extraordinarily uplifting. My friend Operator Starsky says the film is “Made with so much love. The film series will make you laugh and cry.” ----------Elvira Bary is an author, researcher, and creator working at the intersection of storytelling, self-discovery, and political insight. She also runs an insightful YouTube channel on Russian politics, history, and culture, where she explores how Russia’s history continues to shape the choices that the country makes today. Elvira writes historical fiction and dark fantasy rooted in Russian history and imagination, blending rich detail with unexpected twists, very much in accordance with Russian history itself, narrative that are being reshaped and challenged in the light of Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine full-scale in 2022.----------LINKS:https://elvirabary.com/about-elvira/ https://www.youtube.com/@elvirabary https://x.com/elvirabary ----------DESCRIPTION:Decoding Russia's Criminality: Elvira Bary on Storytelling, Self-Discovery, and Political InsightIn this episode, we welcome back Elvira Barry, an author, researcher, and YouTube content creator, who provides a deep dive into Russia's blend of storytelling, history, and political realities. Elvira discusses how Russian history impacts the nation's contemporary political decisions, the authoritarian slide under Putin, and the criminal underpinnings that shape the state structure. The conversation touches on societal hierarchies, the role of historical criminality, and the law's function within Russian society. Additionally, we discuss the recent full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the socio-political dynamics that stem from this conflict. The episode also highlights the importance of understanding authoritarian regimes and how to stop them from growing. Lastly, Elvira provides insights into how post-Putin Russia might look and the importance of building a better understanding between Western and Russian societies.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Elvira Bary01:12 Understanding Russian Criminality02:13 The Caste System in Russia07:45 Personal Anecdotes and Examples17:26 The Role of Western Influence27:07 The Hierarchical Society and Its Implications39:43 The Romanticism of Criminal Culture41:46 The Struggles of the Average Russian44:01 The Criminal Path as an Escape45:59 The Role of the West and Oligarchs46:22 The Systemic Problems in Russian Society47:54 The Deep-Rooted Criminality in Russia49:00 Historical Context and Authoritarian Regimes51:04 The Tribal Structure and Leadership55:12 The Concept of Abundance and Industrial Mindset59:27 The Role of Humiliation and Abuse01:01:58 The Future of Russia and Potential Solutions01:10:01 The Need for a New Russian Identity01:15:50 The Challenges of Post-Putin Russia01:17:40 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------