Russian Soldier in Finland – A Sign of Crumbling Morale?

A former fighter who served with the Russian-aligned Wagner Group in Ukraine has appeared in Finland as an asylum seeker. He has previously participated in Russian war propaganda but has recently harshly criticized Russia for its treatment of its own soldiers and for lying to their families.

The man could, of course, be a genuine asylum seeker—or alternatively, a Russian agent. This is a matter Finnish authorities will undoubtedly investigate. At this stage, however, the most interesting aspect is what he has revealed about Putin's army.

The soldier, who has now arrived in Finland, published a video last February in which he denounced the Russian military leadership and accused it of mistreating Russian soldiers. He also threatened to track down those responsible.

In June, the man released another video in which he accused Russian commanders of being traitors who "leave soldiers to rot in the fields." At the time of this video’s release, he was already in Finland. On the other hand, he has continued publishing Wagner propaganda until quite recently.

In Finland, any possible involvement by the Russian soldier in war crimes will be investigated, and if necessary, he will be prosecuted. For that, the judiciary will need information about his actions in Ukraine, so cooperation with the local authorities there is essential.

At the same time, it is clear that he will not be extradited to the warring Ukrainians for prosecution; rather, he will be investigated specifically in Finland. For now, however, he is not suspected of committing war crimes.

It remains to be seen what will happen to the Russian soldier next, but his appearance in Finland may signal a decline in the fighting morale of Russian troops. And that would not be to the benefit of Vladimir Putin or his administration, but – in contrast – good news for the Ukrainian army.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Suicide and Sudden Death in Russia – What's Really Going On? 
Russians in Finland Include Both Putin’s Supporters and Loyal Citizens
Russian Aircraft Violated Finnish Airspace – But What’s the Point?

The most effective Russian agent in the UK

Finnish general, member of parliament, and MEP Pekka Toveri (National Coalition Party) called the UK's Nigel Farage (Reform UK) the most effective Russian agent of the island nation. According to him, Farage has succeeded in undermining, among other things, the economy, healthcare, and domestic political decision-making of the former European military power.

Toveri was apparently motivated by Farage's blunder, in which he claimed that the EU and NATO provoked Putin into attacking Ukraine. With this opinion, Farage placed himself in the same group as individuals like Viktor Orbán or Alexander Lukashenko, who are completely uncritical in their relationship with Vladimir Putin's dictatorship.

However, the difference between Orbán and Lukashenko on one hand, and Farage on the other, is that they use Putin to stay in power in their own countries. Farage, on the other hand, is unable to gain power even with his help. Not now, and not in the future.

This does not mean that Farage does not have significant influence in British politics. If he manages to attract enough conservatives to his side, it will ensure a victory for the Labour Party in the island nation with all its consequences, and a loss for the Tories.

It remains to be seen how Farage and his party will succeed in attracting votes. And at the same time, whether a harsh electoral defeat will lead the Conservatives to consider moving the UK towards a proportional voting system, whereby the mandate received from voters would be more evenly distributed among the various parties.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Putin's useful idiots in Finland
A white family does not represent real Londoners
Finnish journalist called for British Prime Minister´s head to be placed on London bridge to dry