Russian neo-Nazi operation should be fake

Russian investigators from the FSB secret service are accused of staging a raid on a neo-Nazi group allegedly linked to Ukraine. According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the terrorist cell in Moscow is said to have planned an attack on the Russian TV presenter, propagandist and friend of the state Vladimir Solovyov. A video showing the intervention of the security forces (via TheTelegraph) as well as photos of the alleged evidence, cause shakes of the head and ridicule not only among experts.

Alleged neo-Nazis are fans of Sims 3

In addition to neo-Nazi insignia, pictures of Hitler, a small drug lab, fake Ukrainian passports, pistols and explosive devices, the list of confiscated items also includes a brand new swastika t-shirt, a green wig and The Sims 3, apparently with various expansion packs. Besides the fact that the hodgepodge of various objects fits perfectly with the image that Russian state media are promoting of Ukraine and its allies to justify their raid – which is said to be in the hands of neo-Nazis and being denazified by the Russian armed forces – the video games should also be an indication that the raid is a (bad) staging.

BBC journalist Francis Scarr expressed his surprise via Twitter that neo-Nazis in particular are so interested in life simulation. He doubts the credibility of the mission:

Bad propaganda

It is suspected that the finding of the Sims CDs was a misunderstanding and that originally three SIM cards should have been placed. This assessment is shared by Eliot Higgins from the research network Bellingcat (see tweet below).

Incidentally, the current Sims part is only released in Russia from the age of 18, since it is possible to enter into same-sex romantic relationships in the game. Recently there was a small one My Wedding Stories DLC controversy.