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As a Lithuanian native I can say this - we don't have problems with a Russian speaker as long as he is a decent human being - if you came here and started talking how Lithuania or any other Baltic state needs to be united with the Russian World, prepare for a very negative reaction. Especially if this type of conversation would take place with a young person. We love our cultures, languages and traditions. There is a reason the Baltic states opted to join NATO, we just simply want to exist further, in peace. With no fears of another invasion. And ever since our independence we are just building our society and values again and I'm really excited to see where time will take us. And if the worst case scenario happens and Russia opts to invade our peaceful countries, I can guarantee - the resistance would be fierce and widespread.

''I'm not embarassed to say that on camera that I recently had a mobilized buddy come back, he told me not to believe what they tell us on TV.'' Thumbs up to this dude, not afraid of the truth.

"Under the Soviet Union, all the republics lived in friendship and respected each other" What a joke...

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania can count on Poland. We are together 🇵🇱❤️🇱🇹❤️🇱🇻❤️🇪🇪

I’m a russian-speaking Latvian and never had any problems, because I still communicate in Latvian when needed. And that’s how it should be. I have my culture that is a bit of both, but I absolutely respect full Latvians that do not speak Russian or don’t want to. Why tf should they? We’re in Latvia.

Overall one of the most reasonable sets of interviewees you've ever shown.

My wife’s Estonian. Her grandmother was deported to Siberia twice. Her mother was born there in the tundra. Let it be said that the people of the Baltics are among the most socially tolerant on god’s green earth. They do in fact co-exist well with the Russian speaking populations of the three tiny states. Strange considering the hell Russia put these small republics through. The Russian minorities are actually quite prosperous there. Such a high level of social integration is rare. Some might resent the ethnic Russians but do that in such a subtle manner that it’s hardly noticeable. Those interviewed were pretty liberal. Which is a great relief.

As Latvian this video give me hope! If you are a good person, we do not discriminate whether you are Russian or not.The biggest problem is the Russians in our country who haven't learned a word of Latvian in 30 years and behave like pigs. It just gives a bad impression of everyone else. Practically all Russians who have entered Latvia from Russia in the last 15 years are very nice and warm people.

The lady with the red, white and blue beenie with glasses seems like such a good person. And she's right. Successfully leading with competency and compassion will bring people to your side. Those are the kind of people we need in power. Pretty much every person, everywhere on the planet just wants to live a comfortable life with enough food to eat, a roof over their heads and good times with those they love.

A lot of rational, down to Earth, people in this video. It almost brings me hope

🇪🇪 Im happy in Estonia. I wouldnt wanna live under Putins rule.

As a baltic person, it kinda baffled me when you said "bring ruskiy mir before western influence", we as Lithuanians drifted far away from "ruskiy mir" and keep on drifting even further. I'd like all the Russians listen to the 9th person 8:03 and understand why WE DONT WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA. Also he is aware of China. The most well informed person in this video

"Russia never actually attacked anyone" My grandparents would disagree with that one

Lithuanian here. I'm genuinely surprised by the lack of Russians wanting us to join Russia Mir, compared to the previous Poland video. I am sorry to say that recent events in Ukraine has changed my perception of Russians. Before 2021, I only disliked the Russian government, but now, the general indifference and political apathy of perhaps 80% of Russians makes it really hard to appreciate their culture. I wish we could just live in peace, trade and live happily ever after.

I`m from Estonia... I salute the 9th person for understanding the world as it is.

I am from Latvia, I was glad to hear few reasonable people, especially 2 ladies starting at 11:14. But what me amazed is how still many mention that in Soviet time all republics lived friendly….😂 yeah so I would correct it and say lived “friendly” as we were occupied and forced to live under communist regime with no other option. I see with many people in Russia that even if they are against war in Ukraine, but the imperial mentality is very strong though!!!! We stand with Ukraine 🇺🇦 🇱🇻

The last guy seems to understand the world deeply. Especially his insight about China is very impressive.

"russia never attacked" srry wtf?

I am a Russian speaking Latvian and it was somewhat refreshing to see these people talking about us. One guy even knew about Soviet occupation of the Baltics! We don’t hate each other in Latvia, I have many Latvian friends and many families in interracial marriages. We are bilingual and we speak both languages fluently. One thing I can tell for sure that we are not Russians in a cultural way. The only common thing we have with Russians from Russia is language like British and Australians for example, but our ways of thinking, culture, traditions are very western. This could be the reason why some Russians may perceive our attitude as hostile, it is not, it is just more individualistic and liberal vs Russian conservative consciousness.

Russkij Mir- poverty, aggression, alcoholism and hipocrisy.

You have to feel sorry for the intelligent and empathetic Russians that are surrounded by such toxic nonsense.

Fair play to the people in this video for not leaving me in a state of existential dread like 1420 videos normally do

as a Lithuanian i was surprised by the answers

Russophobia in baltics. Well. im latvian. You know how many times a year I'm demanded by russians to speak Russian, when they approach me and i tell em I'm not russian? Guess the reason i have never seen all 4 of my grandparents and they took a one way trip to siberia on a train, and russians moved in their houses? What about them trying to influence our government and push for russian as second official language, so every latvian is obligated to learn it? When is russia going to acknowledge the horrendous war crimes it committed against us and pay for them? We ain't visitors in our own country, yet sometimes it feels like we are. I don't mind the russians who at least try to speak Latvian, but I've ever met only one, the rest very likely cant even put a short sentence together in our language, yet have lived here for decades or even born here.

The last gentleman sounds more informed than all the generals and Putin put together. He obviously gets his news from sources other than Russian state TV. Hopefully more & more people join his ranks. Thanks Daniil!

I am always amazed at how my mood can be affected by what a random person says on the Russian streets. This was a 'good' video. Goodnight

Wow. As a estonian. I am speechless. So many adequat people in this video. Wow.

I'm Estonian. When the Russians came to the villages of my grandparents, they gathered up young girls and took them to rape them. They kidnapped the people who were a little bit better off and wealthier and sent them to Siberia. Those people died there. So I think a negative attitude towards Russia is kinda understandable.

I was on barricades 1991 in Riga. Doma Square. I'm now 55 but will do whatever it takes.

In Lithuania we have a sizeable population of russians who were born here but refuse to speak Lithuanian. It's like they are waiting for the soviets to come back.

Do you know what they mean by "Baltics are friendly"? They come to our countries and demand the Russian language everywhere they go- as if they never left Russia. That's what "friendship" is for them. I can't imagine walking into a Moscow cafe and expecting the waitress to understand my orders in Latvian. But for some reason, Russians expect this and call it "friendliness" :) Even after they have lived here for a long time, they don't speak the language, because "we understand Russian anyway, so why bother learning an useless language?". Nobody else does that, Estonians, Swedes, Chinese- all learn the language. But not these people, that's why they call us "friendly" :)

Daniil, a lot of older people seem to think that under the Soviet Union all peoples were respected and lived in peace and harmony with each other. But in ex Soviet republics, historians talk about mass deportations to Siberia, bringing in their place Russian speakers that held all command positions and never bothered to learn the local language, assimetrical development, territory exchanges between republics to divide and control. So it was a period in which Russians where first among peers and had a lot of advantages, but they fail to see the imbalance?

Their biggest mistake is assumption that they are in a position to decide what's right or wrong for a sovereign country.

As a Latvian, it was interesting to watch this video compared to previous multiple videos, a lot of them were very negative but I have to admit, I respect some of the responses like 8:20, its nice to see acknowledgement of Baltic States history, our so called "hatred" towards Russians didn't came with out a reason but a lot of Russians don't see that or even learn why a lot of countries are resentful towards Russia. I was ready to see very negative attitude from people but I was wrong. It's a breath of fresh air to see logical people for a change, most of the times I see a lot of delusion and cognitive dissonance from Russians. Respect also for last dude and this lady 11:28. Also she's right about making their own lives better so neighbors are interested without invading, too bad their state uses other means.

8:06 finally a russian who knows history and tried to put himself in our shoes. hats off, thank you

Estonian here. I am positively surprised about the lack of enthusiasm on the part of the interviewees. This batch of ppl actually sounded more-less decent, I could understand some of them very well! People seemed to have doubts about the war and having more war just seems absurd, which is good. I hope these sentiments also stop the war in Ukraine. Overall, it feels a bit safer here when ordinary Russian ppl do not support any war in the Baltic region. Whew

Whenever I hear Russian propaganda talking about Russian World, I am reminded of Transnistria. 30 years of 'cooperation' with Russia has made Transnistria the poorest region in Europe. Imagine what 30 years of EU would have meant.

The lady at 11:27: exactly. Instead of invading other countries, focus on making Russia a place that people WANT to go to and you'll find friends around the world.

Thank you for your work!

I am from Latvia, raised in Russian-speaking family with generalized post-Soviet "Russian" mainstream culture, although I got Ukrainian, Polish and Finnish blood, too (high percentage of each, besides my Finnish far ancestors). But generally you can say I'm "Russian". Never ever had any pressure from native Latvians. I visit Lithuania almost every 1-2 months - same. Was in Estonia - same again. In both regular conversations and in official/state institutes people are gentle and kind, and never insulted or attacked me for being "Russian". All that cheap Russian propaganda about "fascism" in Baltic States comes from actual modern-day Fascists that don't want to adapt, accept new political reality and not going to consider other cultures as equal in general and dominant on their native lands. These people still exist in historical phantom pain and their government uses "external enemy" and "enemies around" strategy to keep people away from inner problems that now turned into very fundamental crisis in Russia. For local Baltic vatniks/ruzzists, the "Baltic Fascism" is an excuse to change nothing in their worldview and lifestyle and keep blaming natives for own life/career/social failures because they simply either don't know language or exist only in reality of "Russian Ghetto" (which means lack of communication, lack of sources of knowledge, lack of working places, work for "grey" business with constant violations of rights and laws) and don't even know what's on the other side, where normal people just co-operate, work, study and chill together no matter what nation or mother tongue they are. That's ill mentality I don't want really want to see in my life, because it's disgusting. Everything you need is just learn the language and start respecting natives. This is everything natives ask for. You are free to be whoever you want and speak whatever language in your environment. Yes, natives don't see the history and politics the way ruzzies do, yet country could have only one political and ideological vector and it definitely can't be established by the loud minority of mainly old people. Simple as that. We eventually aren't and don't want to be another Prednestovie, Osetia or DPR/LPR for Russia. And we should never be. Accept it or GTFO. Identifying myself as generalized "Western Slav", considering my bloodline and Polish surname - I see Baltic Nations as brothers. Historically and culturally. It means respecting their right to be dominant culture in their native lands, respect their language and policy. Us, Slavs, definitely got the right to be a part of Baltic society, as well as Baltic nations must always be welcomed and considered as brothers in Slavic lands. We existed toe to toe forever and hardly influenced each other cultures. This is the attitude each Russian should seek, too. At this point main enemy of both good Russians and Baltic Nations is Kremlin that ruins whole harmony and co-existence of nations that are supposed to be friends. I'm glad at least Ukrainians and Poles are our close allies now. This is how it should be. Maybe, one day, when Russia will be free and mentality of it's core nation will be rehabilitated (if it's even possible) - people from Russia, not RuZZia, will come to Baltic States with totally different attitude and see how "negative" towards others Baltic people really are. I swear to God there will be absolutely no problem. And really never was until you decide to bring back occupation or Russian Imperialism ideas.

Guy from 8:03 is the only one so far who knew their history. Its not his fault, bjt it is wise to know the dark history of once country. Great guy.

I used to live in Lithuania, lots of people speak Russian. Everyone is basically afraid of ending up like Ukraine and feel a lot of history repeating. Stalin annexed them in 1940 and they were incorporated against their will into the USSR. They want to move past that time and develop in their own way, and now they see Russia pulling the same thing with Ukraine that happened with them. That's why they've been so aggressive to Russia, they do not want 1940 to happen again, and if Ukraine falls, it's going to be either Georgia or them next. But you can visit them no one cares if you speak Russian, most of the older generation speak it while the younger generation speaks English. There's a bit more nationalism now post "special military operation", particularly in Lithuania. A guy in my class when I studied there last year was Russian, and he said he didn't notice any change in hostility towards himself being a Russian. So long as you're not pro-Putin and support Ukraine, no one cares there.

Amazing journalism. You are a hero. One of your best ever, for sure

Thank you for your outstanding and brave work.

Invading a Nato country would be really crazy. Putin has enough grief trying to deal with his stupid decision to invade Ukraine.

9:45 “lived in friendship and respected each other” - that’s Russian illusion, coming from propaganda. I am originally from a post-soviet country and all the elderly people describe oppression not “friendship”. The other countries were basically slave states for Russia, all resources going into Russia, there was even a saying “Sausage trains”, because people had to get on trains to go to Moscow to buy anything with meat, everything had to go to Russian cities - this is one of the reasons Russians remember it fondly, as the time “they had everything”, because they did, slave states worked for them.

I never ceased to learn and be impressed by your videos. ❤❤❤❤ You floor me.

The reality in Latvia (from the Latvian perspective) is this - until the war in Ukraine, 90% of the Latvian population tolerated Russian culture in every single way. We had Russian media, Russian schools, Russian monuments, Russian events, etc. No matter where you went, to a club, restaurant, or any other place - you could easily communicate in Russian. After the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2021, things have changed. We removed most USSR monuments, prohibited most of the Russian TV channels, removed the Russian language from street signs, and restaurant menus, we are refusing to buy Russian gas or oil from now on, etc. There will be no Russian schools or kindergartens - in every educational institution in Latvia, the Latvian language will be the primary from now on. Some people would say it is wrong, it is Russophobic, etc. But you have to understand that we as an independent country have the rights to shape our internal culture as we want and consider correct. Those who want to stay can adopt. Those who don`t like it can leave. It doesn`t mean we have physical aggression against Russians. No. We are just saying that because of what happened in Ukraine, we are finally making some changes that we have been putting off since the collapse of the USSR.

That last guy spoke his mind .some of the returning Russian soldiers are telling how it is in Ukraine currently .

Daniil, Recently Russian politicians, including consul of Russia in Kazakhstan, were claiming that northern part of Kazakhstan was “gifted to Kazakhs”, and that Kazakhstan “might have growing number of nazis just like in Ukraine”. Could you make a video where you ask people in Russia what they think of Kazakhstan and Kazakh people in general, and should Russia take their northern cities back? I am really interested in what they think about that. Thanks.

Love how the guy mentioned china, it’s crazy to me that Russians think china has good intentions with them for the future

Estonian here. Russians have done unimaginably terrible things to my family in the past. But we don't hate Russians. Only when they start to think that Estonians and Russians are the same, we will stand our ground. Russians are not our brothers, never have been. We just want peace and let our culture finally flourish after so many years under occupation.

I really hope you stay safe. Russia needs people like you for a decent future.

Thanks for the vid bro

As an Estonian, I am grateful that there are men in Russia like the one who speaks on 8.10. Estonians have nothing against those Russians who admit that Russia has occupied us in history and accept our freedom. The problem is with the Russians, who claim that they have saved us and that we voluntarily joined the USSR. Our forefathers have shared memories of how Russian soldiers deported our people to Siberia and killed and raped them. Knowing the history, people can be a little hostile towards the Russians. It's not Russianphobia; it's the fear of history repeating itself.

Why would Baltic countries would like to join with fascist-Russia?

That’s the smartest sample of people you’ve spoken with yet.

Good job man. Keep that way!

Its rather interesting when the one guy said Russia was more likely to expect a back stab from China because recently they enacted a law to call cities and towns in disputed borders with Russia with their traditional Chinese names instead of Cyrillic.

“The soviet republics were friendly”? As far as I remember, Russians viewed themselves as superior and called the caucas’ region dark skinned people “churki” (a racist slang) and all the rest of nations as Moscow’s slaves. As a Latvian I can say we don’t have a problem with Russian speakers, they just have to respect our language and culture which many of them don’t. They’ve maintained their historical syndrome of superiority. Indeed, the guy in 8:03 knows actual history many russian speakers here will deny.

When you asked the lady at the end about the war, you could just sense how angry she was.

Big respect from Georgia to our brothers from Baltic countries 🇪🇪🇱🇹🇱🇻❤🇬🇪

Probably the best video yet. These interviewees were very knowledgeable to what was going on in the past.

What russians are going through resemble a lot what my parents from Portugal went through during Salazar's dictatorship. We were also at war with our African colonies, and there was a secret police called PIDE that would hunt you down if you had any opinion against the regime. So people would intentionally avoid talking about politics. As you can see in this video, whenever someone says "I'm apolitical", they most likely support Ukraine. It is not ignorance. It is not apathy. They know what is going on but they don't know what to do about it.

Seems like Russians are getting tired of the war whether they’d like to admit it or not. If it’s taking them this long to take Bakhmut then there’s no realistic scenario for which they reach Kyiv.

it's daunting how this 'Ruskiy Mir' sounds pretty much like Hitler's 'Lebensraum'

Honestly speaking, would like to see how russians would not be latvianphobic if latvians enslaved them, invaded them, killed them, oppressed them and did all sorts of other evil things for CENTURIES and even continued to have the same mentality now (contrary to germans, for instance). Huge respect to the man who said that if we are russophobic, then we have our reasons. Just as ukrainians have now.

I sympathize with all the people who found themselves in the occupied territories of Ukraine. They had their happy life and one day they were invaded by deceit their life has turned into a nightmare and now they have to live with their tormentors

8:18 finally a Russian person who understands why Russia's neighbours hate russia so much

Thanks Daniil, just a little hope is nice to hear.

My father did business in pretty much all eastern Europen countries in the 1970's. But he refused to do business with the Russians. 'They are completely impossible to deal with, everything is wrong there' was kind of his declared rationale. Also he avoided east Gearmany - "it's all so depressing, it's just grey, grey, grey". Perhaps DDR was extra sensitive, since his father and hence a large portion of our family lived in both parts of Germany. Every week, he would visit Poland, Hungary, Tchechoslavakia (which he told me as a the 10 year old kid really was two countries), Bulgaria and - well - diifferent parts of "Yugoslavia". My grandfather on my mother's side was a diplomatic consul for the Estonian Republic, which of course turned into helping Estonian refugees for years. He also as a voluntary marine officer (he was a shipping agent by trade), commanded transports of arms at night (to avoid airraids), over the ice, from Sweden to Finland. All European families have been subjected to the "Russian Mir" aggressive megalomania. So it's no wonder 97% (!!!) of Swedish people support sending arms to Ukraine. There are good reasons we are wary of Russia. Now, you may use the description "Russofobic" of that, but then you could perhaps also describe me as 'crocodilefobic' and similar. As it happens, polar bears consider people to be food, and you always have to carry a gun where they live. I'm sad to say that applies to "the Russian bear" as well.

The idea of Russki mir died hard when the baltics joined NATO lol.

The man at 8 mins was exactly right. An educated man in history.

Daniil and Artyom, thank you once again for providing such valuable insight about Russian attitudes. The lady toward the end, with the funny little hat, was truly brilliant. Again, thank you for your courage. By the way, Daniil, you are a delightfully quirky and gentle human being.💖

Я с Эстонии. Никогда никем не притеснялся и не чувствовал себя ущербным. Эстонский язык знаю на 50%. Я чувствую страну, как свой дом. Другие национальности они, как родные. Смесь русского и эстонского менталитета, это новое продолжение истории страны. За 34 года жизни я никогда не видел конфликтов на национальной почве. Кто хотел дружить, те дружили. Сейчас в столице, вообще нету разницы, кто ты. Все дружат, общаются и работают.

As a Latvian, I hope the majority of Russians think like most of these interviewees… at least secretly. Growing up in Riga, I’ve met and worked with so many Russians and most of them were really nice people. Never had any real problems with any. Although, it’s true that there are almost two parallel worlds living in one - Russian and Latvian. We coexist mostly peacefully. I used to work in an office where more than half of my colleagues were Russians and many of them didn’t know Latvian well or at all. Yet they all had good jobs, salary and opportunities. So no one can tell me that they are oppressed due to anything. And none of them wanted to be back in Soviet times either.

12:43 - "Russia never attacked" wow how braindead some of the citizens are

Thank you 😊

Great job; Daniil. It's good to hear from regular people in the street.

Now the expression "Ukraine is the shield and sword of Europe" means more and more meaning

I am Lithuanian who speaks fluently Russian and have no problem with a people still love Pushkin and other authors and artists but if you will come with Putins t-shirt ore Z letter we have a problem, I think this how the most my countryman view Russians! BTW you guys doing amazing work!

As an American who tries to see through propaganda (from our government too) and seeks to understand the perspectives of each side, I find myself relying more on people’s behavior than what is said or written about in the media. What strikes me the most is how Putin claimed that Ukraine was “not a real country” yet they (Ukrainians) are fighting for it so vigorously. This behavior is very revealing that indeed- Ukraine is a real country that will defend itself. If Russia prevails militarily, that may be the easiest part. Winning over the hearts and minds of a nation after destroying them may be impossible.

I am originally from Latvia, born and raised there but now I live in Finland. And as a Latvian I can tell you a lot of people have hate against Soviet Union (todays Russia) because of the atrocities they did to our people. Even in schools they never really told me that SU occupied our territories but after basic history lessons anyone with half a brain understood what happened back then. Latvians very rarely will say out loud their real thoughts but after population was so decimated I am even surprised people are not full out russophobic. My generation tries to move on from the past but also not forget it. This topic really hurts and I am happy that small Baltics are protected under NATO. Jokes on me as my mother is actually Russian and father Latvian I am myself in the middle but always know where I came from and as crappy a country Latvia is it is wonderful in its own way for me.

Can you conduct the next video talking about the Wagner group and their growing influence in Russia ? Would love to see what Russians have to say about them

Good video!!❤️🇸🇯

This was a hopeful video, I'm glad.

Well, the last lady and gentleman give me some hope that there might be some opinions changing in Russia. Hope there's more of that kind of thought.

I'm Canadian and to me Russia looks like a depressing place to live. Nothing ever improves it only goes backwards.

Come to Lithuania and ask people about their values and their beliefs and which of them are the most important to them. I am 100% sure almost all of them will include freedom / independence. Like the wise man in the 8:00 minute said, we have a right to have an unfriendly attitude towards the russians as they used to take from us something what we desire the most. Our independence.

dude i so liked your videos and style, watched them before at another location in usa but now im in asia and found you again by accident, subscribed now! carry on ! 61 year old american ( :

Excellent video! Very well done. Thanks for all the hard work!!! -Carey from Michigan

Is it just Poland they dislike cause all of the answers have been pretty chill since that video 😂

Nice of you to give a warning about relocation services Danyl!

Daniil you are doing a *wonderful job of creating dialogue.* Thank you my friend.

This channel is gold! Thank you ✌️

Georgiy (12:30) seems to think that Russia has never attacked. Tsarist Russia dismembered Poland, and attacked various others countries, gaining an empire. If he includes the Soviet Union, there is Finland, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Japan and Afghanistan. Post Soviet Russia has Chechnya, Georgia and Ukraine.

Person 9 for president. The parallel he draws to movies and his comment on China show what a sane and aware human being he is.

It's really nice to listen to smart people talking. Seems people in Moscow knows their history pretty well. However, I guess reactions in some rural areas would be different

you're great at forging these questions!