The media coverage in Russia right now is very different from what’s been said and shown in Western countries. Russia is literally making it illegal to use words like “war” or “invasion” when describing the “special military operation” that is happening in Ukraine.

At the same time, sport is a huge part of the Russian propaganda machine, which is one of the driving factors behind the constant issue of Russian athletes doping for international events like the Olympics. The banning of sport in Russia, and the banning of Russian athletes abroad, is a move to disarm part of the Putin propaganda machine.

With most of social media blocked as well, Russia is trying to control the narrative internally about the invasion with Ukraine. It’s very difficult though to explain why athletes aren’t out competing, why bans are in place, why credit cards no longer work, why the currency is suddenly worth a fraction of what it was, etc – and that’s the point.

It shows the people that there’s an alternative story taking place than what’s on the TV screen, and it puts pressure on Putin and the government to stop its actions in Ukraine.

When this was handed down, it immediately affected Vsevolod Brylyakov, who was mid-competition with MXGP. It kills any plans for a WorldSBK or MotoGP round in Russia, of which there’s been some talk. At the local level, it means all motorcycle racing in Russia and Belarus will be unsanctioned, and likely won’t take place.

Also wish there was this sort of measured response to the MBS regime, or when Russia bombed Syria or China’s annexation of Hong Kong. I was pretty disappointed Laia Sanz raced in Saudi Arabia but she doesn’t have the same outs or options like Vettel does when he stated his intentions to not race in the Russian GP.

But still, I’m glad they’re shutting out Russia. Hopefully from everything….for a long time. I don’t want back to business as usual whichever way the conflict goes. Wars scar people for generations.

As many have pointed out, “those people” don’t live next door. Many war crimes committed by Saudi Arabian combatants have been logged and verified. We had our own war criminals and the few that were convicted were pardoned. The fact that the vaunted drone strikes were actually a pretty abysmal failure and killed more innocents than actual targets seem to get nothing but a yawn from most US citizens. Collateral damage is just a convenient phrase for when you want to make killing children palatable to the masses so you can keep your kill on.