Russian war games test patriotism
of Moscow’s political leaders
By Marc Bennetts
Imagine House Speaker John A. Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and their distinguished colleagues dressed in Army fatigues and armed with various weapons and gear, undergoing military training near the nation’s capital.
It may be an odd scene, but that is precisely what 400 political leaders, lawmakers and election committee officials are doing through Thursday near Moscow.
Though Russia’s standoff with the West over Ukraine might be as good as over, Moscow apparently is taking no chances.
The main goal of the exercises is to demonstrate the politicians’ “patriotic mood,” as well as their willingness to defend Mother Russia, according to a report in Russia’s RBK newspaper.
The Russian Defense Ministry declined to comment on the report, but several politicians confirmed their participation in the military training.
Among those taking part is 69-year-old Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, a former Soviet Red Army colonel. A spokesman for Mr. Zyuganov said the party leader welcomes such exercises and considers them part of his patriotic duty.
Another participant is Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the 68-year-old leader of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia.
“My specialty is information warfare,” Mr. Zhirinovsky told The Washington Times. “This is a very useful skill now in light of what is going on in Ukraine, where America is supporting the fascist junta. I will be able to develop my abilities in this field at the drills.”
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