On July 25, the FSB charged well-known left-wing sociologist Boris Kagarlitsky with “public justification of terrorism”. The official reason was a phrase said in one of the videos in the autumn of 2022. After the arrest, Kagarlitsky was taken to Syktyvkar. The court, held behind closed doors, sentenced him to imprisonment for 2 months.

What is going on

• An expected and logical process of the constantly accelerating motion of the Russian state machine towards the most extreme reaction based on terror. As in Ukraine, only nationally-oriented “socialists” will soon be legally allowed.
• The case against Kagarlitsky, along with other resonating arrests, is a symptom of the hasty cleansing of any (both right and left) opposition remained in Russia.
• Also, this is not just a political matter, but an exemplary whipping, an act of intimidation by which the authorities tell dissenters: either shut up, or leave, or meet the same fate.
• Loyal lackeys of the bourgeoisie are trying to say the same thing in their own words – from national patriots to social chauvinists. That is, those who openly call for persecution of communists and urging for class unity with “our” capital.

What can it tell us

• The Russian government is actively preparing for a rapid escalation of hostilities in the coming months meaning even greater tension in all spheres, and consequently — the sharpening of all internal contradictions. Such a situation requires maximum protection from the “internal enemy”. The velvet gloves are now off.
• Perhaps, it means more that an escalation only in Ukraine. Perhaps, a new step into the abyss of the world imperialist war. This is indirectly evidenced by recent events both inside and outside the country: Kartapolov’s statements, the stressed anti-Polish rhetoric of Russian politicians, the redeployment of NATO troops to the eastern borders of Poland and the Baltic countries, Shoigu’s visit to Korea, the strengthening of the American military presence in Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf, a series of dangerous incidents in the skies over Syria.

What should be kept in mind

• As we predicted, no one has really started yet. The hopes of NATO agents, liberals and their «leftists» henchmen to the imminent defeat of the Russian Federation were not fulfilled. Idealism and immaturity make many, even after a year and a half, hope that the collapse of the regime is around the corner. Just as social chauvinists traitors, they still portray what is happening as a conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Russia and the West, but not as the initial stage of a worldwide imperialist war.
• The Russian economy is being held and will be kept afloat by the Chinese “big brother”. The Russian repressive system, right in front of our eyes, will only become stronger, not weaker. Even now, it is able to easily suppress any opposition resistance. Especially such as ours, that – let’s be honest – doesn’t have the support of masses.
• If necessary, the state is able to rely on a new freikorps (from criminals to ideological solidarists), which will carry out the dirtiest orders of the bourgeoisie under a variety of flags (from imperial to red).
• The corridor of legal opportunities for Communists is narrowing to almost zero.

What not to do

• Not to be shocked, horrified. No need to send curses, to search for logic in the “laws”, to appeal to the ruling class conscience or reason, to try to derail a soulless and well-oiled repressive machine from its course with the hand-wringing, public and demonstrative actions.
• It is unacceptable to act on emotions, behave impulsively, provoke reaction forces to the disproportionate use of force, which can completely negate even modest results of organisational and propaganda work.
• It is unacceptable, speaking publicly, to incline to support one or another imperialist camp, to flirt with an international audience, juggling with unsupported terms that can put not only the speaker, but also those who stand on communist positions, at risk.

What to do

• Continue to prepare for work in any – even the most unfavourable – conditions. Remember the experience of our predecessors — from the Bolsheviks to the anti-Fascist underground. Exercise maximum vigilance and discretion. Both in actions and in statements.
• Continue to strengthen ties with the working class, using all available means and opportunities.

Without the working class armed with theory we are nothing. Together we are invincible.