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Russian Shoppers Are Literally Fighting Each Other for Sugar

In scenes reminiscent of the last days of the Soviet Union, Russians are scrambling to get their hands on basic goods.





In videos coming out of towns and cities across Russia, crowds of people are shouting, jostling and climbing over each other to grab the last bags of sugar in barren shops.

https://t.me/bazabazon/10695?source=patrick.net

Some stores have imposed 10kg rations per customer, and there have been reports of people attacking anyone they think is panic-buying. In one scuffle in the northern city of Severodvinsk, a man with five packets of sugar in his shopping basket was punched five times in the face during a confrontation with an angry shopper.

Russians who remember the turmoil of the last few years of the Soviet Union know only too well the importance of grabbing rare goods when you see them, particularly in a crisis. Sugar is usually bought in bulk by Russians who are going to preserve large amounts of fruit, or make samogon, high-proof moonshine popular in the countryside.

“It’s a madhouse,” one shopper in the southern Russian city of Volgograd told a local media outlet last week. “The shop assistants say sugar is re-stocked every now and again, but it’s immediately snapped up — people are deliberately standing watch in order to buy it all.”

Sugar shortages have been the first major material consequences of the Kremlin’s decision to invade Ukraine felt by many ordinary Russians. It’s been caused by a cocktail of factors that include government attempts to regulate prices, skyrocketing demand and a crash in the value of the Russian currency. Although Russia imports a relatively small amount of sugar, the gyrations in the value of the ruble mean foreign companies are suddenly unwilling to sign contracts with their Russian counterparts.

The cost of sugar went up as much as 31 percent last week, but it’s not the only thing becoming hugely expensive. With an exodus of foreign businesses and Western sanctions expected to lead to shortages of foreign goods, the price of imported cars and household items, like hoovers and televisions, has also shot up more than 20 percent since the war began.

Despite an emergency rate hike and the imposition of currency controls, it looks unlikely the authorities will be able to bring inflation under control. Prices in Russia rose 4.3 percent, more in the two weeks following the invasion than the government hoped they would over the entire year. Predictions for Russia’s annual inflation rate now range from about 15 percent to as high as 30 percent.

Putin is removing a cancer. Surviving cancer is never fun. Short term pain, long term gain.
Problem is, it's our cancer, too, but our MSM tries to make us think it's daisies and woke fairies.

(google translate from Russian)

Kostroma residents continue to complain about empty shelves in stores 11:30 18 MAR 2022
Elizaveta VISHNEVSKY
Kostroma residents continue to complain about empty shelves in stores
Desert shelves in Kostroma stores have become the norm.
They say that sugar is still in short supply.

Some goods continue to disappear in Kostroma stores, KOSTROMA.TODAY found out.

As Tatyana, a Kostroma resident, told a KT correspondent, yesterday in the Pyaterochka store on Prospekt Mira, 21 again there was no sugar and salt. According to her, the shelves have been empty for a long time, and the sellers do not know anything and do not give any forecasts.

“Of course, I was in the store in the evening, perhaps everything was taken apart. But sugar is still hard to find, although the problem was promised to be solved by March 14th. And the shelves are still empty. In some networks, only lump sugar remained, ”the woman told us.
In addition, the Kostroma woman noted that literally everything has risen in price in stores, and you simply cannot look at prices without tears.

Recall that in the Kostroma region introduced a rationed sale of certain goods. In particular, granulated sugar is now sold up to 2 kg per person, sunflower oil - up to 2 liters, wheat flour - up to 5 kg, cereals - up to 5 kg, vermicelli - up to 10 kg. True, the amount of issuance may vary in different stores.
In Pyaterochka on Nekrasovsky Highway, too, sometimes there is no sugar and salt.

Ceffer says

Putin is removing a cancer.

Putin is cancer:

Covid lockdowns - check. Vaxx passports and QR codes - check. Crackdown on peaceful protest - check. Censorship - check. Unjustified immoral aggressive war - check. 53% heathen nation attacking 87% Christian nation - check.

AmericanKulak says

And use cash whenever possible.

I've really been enjoying using cash everywhere. Clerks are often surprised.

Eric Holder says

Vaxx passports and QR codes

Ukraine is worse. Much worse.

The Ukrainian government in 2020 launched Diia, a digital app that combines identity card, passport, license, vaccination record, registrations, insurance, health reimbursements and social benefits.

That was before Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine. Now, it appears the Ukraine government is expanding Diia, illustrating how digital apps can be employed during wartime.

https://themadtruther.com/2022/03/22/how-ukraine-government-is-converting-digital-id-system-into-wartime-tool/?source=patrick.net

Patrick says

Eric Holder says

Vaxx passports and QR codes

Ukraine is worse. Much worse.

The Ukrainian government in 2020 launched Diia, a digital app that combines identity card, passport, license, vaccination record, registrations, insurance, health reimbursements and social benefits.

Of course: Zelensky is a globohomo Nazi Jooish clown so it suits him.

But our Great Christian Leader!!! How could he fall for all this NWO bullshit?!!!

Following a fourth package of sanctions against Russia by the EU on the 15 March 2022, the Swedish Dockworkers Union has given notice about nationwide blockade against Russian ships and cargo.

The statement of the Swedish Dockworkers Union is the following:

“The Swedish Dockworkers Union has given notice to the employers’ organization Ports of Sweden about upcoming industrial action against ships going to and from Russia as well as Russian cargo in all Swedish ports.

The solidarity action will be carried out to support the dockworkers and the suffering working class in Ukraine during the ongoing Russian invasion.

I guess Swedish dockworkers didn't like seeing pregnant wives of dockworkers of Mariupol being bombed right in the maternity wards.

Or they are all Nazis.

It's not a sanction.
It's a special economics operation.

Grocery shopping in Russia with before and after price comparison:
https://youtu.be/BUFMSNgNh3s?source=patrick.net

Looks a lot like Bidenflation.

Booger says

Grocery shopping in Russia with before and after price comparison:
https://youtu.be/BUFMSNgNh3s?source=patrick.net

Looks a lot like Bidenflation.

I thought it was going to be 1000+% increases.

RC2006 says

Booger says

Grocery shopping in Russia with before and after price comparison:
https://youtu.be/BUFMSNgNh3s?source=patrick.net

Looks a lot like Bidenflation.

I thought it was going to be 1000+% increases.

The night is young....

Indians buy second round of multimillion barrels of Russian oil since the West announced sanctions:
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/598762-india-buys-3-million-barrels-of-russian-oil-report?source=patrick.net

Booger says

It's not a sanction.
It's a special economics operation.

And it's not a deterrent man, nobody c'mon man, nobody, in this Administration ever said that. - Xiden

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpC7SYv3UL0&source=patrick.net

Honestly, the US just keeps fucking up over and over.

Because of these sanctions, we are going to have Russia, China, and India close together, and the US petrodollar is toast.

Patrick says

Honestly, the US just keeps fucking up over and over.

Because of these sanctions, we are going to have Russia, China, and India close together, and the US petrodollar is toast.

This is what bugs me.

Either you and I are wrong, or our government is fucking stupid, or they are doing this purposely.

Can I really be smarter than an intelligence group? I don't think that's possible. They must purposely be doing this OR we're wrong but I agree, this seems to be the only possible outcome, but hopefully, I'm stupid, and it's not the outcome.

richwicks says

Can I really be smarter than an intelligence group?

I think groups of people can be remarkably stupid, more stupid than any normal person.

Patrick says

richwicks says

Can I really be smarter than an intelligence group?

I think groups of people can be remarkably stupid, more stupid than any normal person.

I regard group stupidity to be a property of propaganda. If it bleeds into government policy, that's quite dangerous.

I still have the belief that even groups of stupidity are manipulated. I guess I'm about to find that out if that's true or not.

Patrick says

I think groups of people can be remarkably stupid, more stupid than any normal person.

The problem with groups is the best and brightest are not necessarily leading. Or they're an expert in one realm and suck at everything else that they're required to do. Or brown nosed ass wagons to beat their way to the top by lying and cheating to superiors.

I'm on a elected government board (tiny). The President is an amazing person, great community involvement and action. That said, she's not very bright. We're rehabbing a building for what we do (sorry no doxxing for me) and I'm literally the only one that knows anything about it. I already had to correct the architect we hired to save $20k in plumbing because we're on slab and the bathrooms were not logically placed.

From the outside looking in, sometimes I think elected officials are just trusted. Most are frankly stupid and the community never cares or are too lazy to run. The dumb asses elected then get to hire the bureaucrats. Now bring this to the Federal level and you get our current situation. The problem is I had no decision in any of it for the most part. I didn't vote for Biden or CA or IL Congressthings. We're a government of sales people that have no business being involved in hiring. Case in point, the current SCOTUS nominee. Now factor in who is on committees that hire and fire leadership. It's a shit show.

Indian State Oil Company announces 2nd multimillion barrel oil purchase from Russia.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/india-buys-russian-oil-pressure-sanctions-83522091?source=patrick.net

AmericanKulak says

Indian State Oil Company announces 2nd multimillion barrel oil purchase from Russia.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/india-buys-russian-oil-pressure-sanctions-83522091?source=patrick.net

Their Russian oil imports are still less than 1% of total imports.

Blue says

Their Russian oil imports are still less than 1% of total imports.

Last year. It won't change quickly, but if they keep getting deals, it's hard to pass up double digit percentages under the market rate. In the mid 90s, people said the same about Chinese Imports. "Just wait until the Chinese buy American made Caterpillars in the next few years - it'll balance out, you'll see, Free Trade Heretic!"

AmericanKulak says

Blue says

Their Russian oil imports are still less than 1% of total imports.

Last year. It won't change quickly, but if they keep getting deals, it's hard to pass up double digit percentages under the market rate. In the mid 90s, people said the same about Chinese Imports. "Just wait until the Chinese buy American made Caterpillars in the next few years - it'll balance out, you'll see, Free Trade Heretic!"

So Russian oil will flow to India with a discount (estimated at 30% currently) and the oil which was flowing there before will flow somewhere else. Net result: Russia gets 30% less for their oil and India spends 30% less on their energy. I say it's a win for everybody (except Russia, but who gives a fuck about Russia).

Russia’s oil exports shriveled by more than a quarter in the week March 17-23 compared with the prior week, according to industry data.
The country’s average daily shipments reached 495,300 tons, down 26.4% from the week before, according to figures seen by Bloomberg. That’s equivalent to about 3.63 million barrels a day.
While the data didn’t indicate any reasons for the change, the sharp decline came as Russia faces a growing movement by many of its usual customers to find alternative energy supplies after the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Only a handful of nations -- including the U.S. and the U.K. -- have imposed explicit bans on imports of Russian oil. Still, many of the country’s traditional customers have undertaken a self-imposed buyers’ strike in response to the war. Major companies from Shell Plc to TotalEnergies SE have said they intend to phase out purchases of crude and fuel from Russia.
The decline in exports was at least partly driven by lower volumes from Russia’s ports on the Baltic Sea and in the Asia-Pacific region, according to loadings data.
Total oil production over the period was little changed, dropping 0.3% from the week before, the output numbers show. The nation pumped about 11.08 million barrels a day on average in the period, according to Bloomberg calculations.

I have some bad news for you guys. Sanctions do work, and I have a close personal experience with the sanctions against USSR. They are not so effective as the gov't claims them to be but not so useless as you would like. They are like carpet-bombing and over time take some serious toll.

Comparing USSR to modern Russia: Russia is smaller and weaker, it is more dependent on the West. The Ukraine war is a good example: Ukrainian military using Western supplies is standing up to the outdated and mismanaged Russian army. The same will happen to the Russian economy.

still1bear says

Comparing USSR to modern Russia: Russia is smaller and weaker, it is more dependent on the West.

For what? Financial fraud and endless wars? What does the West produce today? Electronics are made in China and those are toys nobody needs a newer, better, television. In fact, the TV you have right now can last forever. You now what is going to fail on it? A capacitor and when it does, you're going to throw it away. It will be a $1.00 part that is EASY to find, because the enclosure will be bulging out. Easy fix if you can't get a new teeeveee.

The USSR needed GRAIN back in the day. What do they need from the United States today?

India is a good trading partner with them, they are getting along PRETTY well with China. Russia has MASSIVE amounts of resources beyond just energy. Ukraine still produces a lot of food though, THAT might create a problem, and not just for Russia, but Europe as well.

Some people think that a famine is being purposely engineered. I'll say, that's possible.. We'll find out in 12 months.

I think that the result of this stupid aggression toward Russia is going to made a trading bloc between Russia, India, and China and "the West" is going to be left out in the cold. If Russia and China can make reasonable deals in the Middle East, get them to stop fighting one another like a bunch of savages, and get them to adhere to peace agreements, they will be able to take over the entire region in under 2 decades. The Ottoman Empire could be recreated as a loose Confederacy in just a matter of years.

The goddamned Neocons are either asshole idiots, OR they are intentionally trying to destroy the country. I don't know which.

richwicks says

For what? Financial fraud and endless wars?

For agro tech. For car/truck manufacturing tech. For military tech. For medical tech. For comms tech. For oil/gas extraction tech. I can go on but you get the picture.

Latest news: Russia relaxes auto manufacturing standards to allowing cars w/o airbags, w/o cat converters, w/o ABS/ESC and adhering to emission regulations less strict than Euro-1.

Patrick says

I've really been enjoying using cash everywhere. Clerks are often surprised.

Imagine trying to use one of these around town...

Russians will definitely be negatively impacted by the sanctions.

The Europeans will definitely be negatively impacted by Russia's counter sanctions. I think they will cut the flow of natural gas tomorrow.

In America we won't have to worry about the electricity going out. Europeans are going to have to deal with that.

I guess in the UK they dealt with store shelves being empty recently. There will be panic buying throughout the EU because there are going to be shortages.

I was hoping for a short war with minimal loss of life. We are what 36 days into the conflict. The Syrian conflict lasted about 10 years.

Eric Holder says

Latest news: Russia relaxes auto manufacturing standards to allowing cars w/o airbags, w/o cat converters, w/o ABS/ESC and adhering to emission regulations less strict than Euro-1.

We need that here too.

Booger says

Eric Holder says

Latest news: Russia relaxes auto manufacturing standards to allowing cars w/o airbags, w/o cat converters, w/o ABS/ESC and adhering to emission regulations less strict than Euro-1.

We need that here too.

I dunno, man: there are plenty of classic car in my neighborhood and when I drive behind one of them on weekends I catch myself not missing the stench of unburned gasoline and the rest of the shit they emit. As for ABS/ESC and airbags - yes, couldn't care less.

PS. Apparently, every car manufactured in Russia was also required to have a Glonass chip in it (Glonass is a "Russian GPS" which currently doesn't work, because they failed to maintain a proper satellite constellation for it). This requirement has been dropped too.

Germany mulls nationalization of Gazprom, Rosneft units – Handelsblatt
By:Reuters
Updated: Mar 31, 2022, 11:20 PDT•1min read

BERLIN (Reuters) – The German economy ministry is considering expropriation of Gazprom and Rosneft units in the country amid concerns about security of energy supply, business daily Handelsblatt reported on Thursday, citing government sources.

The discussions between top ministry officials and Chancellor Olaf Scholz aim to prevent massive power cuts if either of these companies, which are systemically important for Germany, gets into difficulties, the newspaper reported.



Both companies are irreplaceable on the German energy market with Gazprom Germania operating large gas storage facilities and Rosneft Deutschland being a key player in the petrol, diesel and kerosene refinery markets, Handelsblatt reported.

At the same time, the companies risk a “technical bankruptcy” as banks and business partners have been distancing themselves from companies with Russian owners since Western sanctions against Russia came into force, Handelsblatt said.

Gazprom Germania, Rosneft Deutschland and the German economy ministry could not be immediately reached for comment.

(Reporting by Zuzanna Szymanska; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Misc says

The Syrian conflict lasted about 10 years.

Thanks to the same fuck, btw. And to Obama/Biden/Kerry who invited him there.

richwicks says

still1bear says

Comparing USSR to modern Russia: Russia is smaller and weaker, it is more dependent on the West.

For what? Financial fraud and endless wars? What does the West produce today? Electronics are made in China and those are toys nobody needs a newer, better, television. In fact, the TV you have right now can last forever. You now what is going to fail on it? A capacitor and when it does, you're going to throw it away. It will be a $1.00 part that is EASY to find, because the enclosure will be bulging out. Easy fix if you can't get a new teeeveee.

The USSR needed GRAIN back in the day. What do they need from the United States today?

India is a good trading partner with them, they are getting along PRETTY well with China. Russia has MASSIVE amounts of resources beyond just energy. Ukraine still produces a lot of food though, THAT might create a problem, a...

Just one small example: American oil service companies (Schlumberger, Halliburton et al.) are major suppliers of important equipment and services for Russia's oil industry. Without them Russia will miss a lot of oil production. You will see it within the next year.

I understand, you hate neocons but this hate should not cloud your thinking. Try to stay closer to reality.

If you want to learn more about this war and Mr. Putin listen to this guy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuri_Shvets?source=patrick.net

He went to a KGB school together with Putin and later worked as the KGB resident in Washington DC. Find somebody to translate it from Russian, you will learn a lot.
This is his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2oej0JtxlnywlqoSiHHVQ?source=patrick.net

New cars in Russia rose by an average of 40% in March against the backdrop of devaluation and suspension of deliveries. The most significant rise in prices - up to 60% - affected premium cars, the supply of which to the Russian Federation is limited not only due to problems with logistics, but also the sanctions of the United States, the EU and Japan. So far, the dealers' warehouses have not been empty, but due to high prices and a drop in real incomes of the population, demand has already fallen - the traffic of car dealerships is minimal. Some dealers are talking about a 60% drop in sales in March and expect it to get worse.

https://www-kommersant-ru.translate.goog/doc/5293055?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp&source=patrick.net

Air India stops selling tickets for flights to Russia
Indian airline Air India has stopped selling tickets from Delhi to Moscow and back

https://ria-ru.translate.goog/20220406/indiya-1782003022.html?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp&source=patrick.net

You know guys been thinking about it. We were constantly bombarded with "covid gonna kill everyone" shit and that's really all we talked about, because we knew it was all bullshit. Well, they swapped Ukraine in, overnight got rid of masks... and now we talking about Russia/Ukraine all day long.

Fuck it, I don't want to even pay attention to this shit anymore. I got my own fucking problems to deal with, and a move to plan. Just telling you guys, this is weird shit how they 1984 style move us from one crisis to next. It's like America has become a controlled environment.

FortWayneAsNancyPelosiHaircut says

You know guys been thinking about it. We were constantly bombarded with "covid gonna kill everyone" shit and that's really all we talked about, because we knew it was all bullshit. Well, they swapped Ukraine in, overnight got rid of masks... and now we talking about Russia/Ukraine all day long.

Fuck it, I don't want to even pay attention to this shit anymore. I got my own fucking problems to deal with, and a move to plan. Just telling you guys, this is weird shit how they 1984 style move us from one crisis to next. It's like America has become a controlled environment.

You want the whole America to be talking about your problems instead? For that you need at a very minimum have a Kardashian ass and put out a sex tape. =))

FortWayneAsNancyPelosiHaircut says

Well, they swapped Ukraine in, overnight got rid of masks... and now we talking about Russia/Ukraine all day long.

It's called the Overton Window. I actually regard the Ukraine war as basically yet another distraction. I wonder what fuckery our government is up to during times like these?