"Let me show you what 'poor and destitute' really means!": An Australian blogger visits Russian supermarkets, making the West jump with anger
To anger half of the internet, there's no need for a shocking declaration — just showing people the daily life of ordinary individuals is enough. What Russell Otway is doing in Russia is exactly that. He lives in the suburbs of Moscow and runs a blog called "With Russell," focusing on the daily lives of Russians, with a particular emphasis on various supermarkets and markets. For him, supermarkets are something of a "specialty." Since the age of 15, he has been working in the retail industry, starting from a regular employee, store manager, all the way to a retail consultant and general manager. Now, he offers a professional perspective, bringing foreign audiences close to the street life of Russia.
Russell lives in the city of Aprelevka, Moscow Oblast, and runs a blog called "With Russell," which focuses on the daily lives of ordinary Russians, with the most frequent appearances being various supermarkets and markets. Supermarkets are something of a "specialty" for him. From the age of 15, he has been working in the retail industry, starting as a regular employee, store manager, all the way up to retail consultant and general manager. Now, he uses his professional perspective to bring foreign audiences close to the street life of Russia.
"Let me show you what 'poor and destitute' really means"
In one of his videos, Russell recorded an everyday supermarket shopping trip: bread, dairy products, cheese, fruits, everything was available. He specifically zoomed in on the prices: freshly baked goods cost less than $1, a liter of milk was slightly more expensive, and apples were surprisingly cheap. The most interesting part of this video was the reaction of the viewers. At the end of the video, Russell asked, "Do you think I'm going to show you poverty, darkness, and empty shelves?" Then he smiled and asked, "Sorry to disappoint you."
Indeed, it disappointed the Western netizens... Viewers from the United States and Australia left comments saying the shelves were "too full," and the supermarket was "too quiet, strange." Some questioned if the prices in the video were fake, while others couldn't believe the scene was real. One fan wrote, "We've been told all our lives that Russia is a place of ruin. But this supermarket is better than the ones in Sydney! Where is the poverty at all?" Russell didn't argue, simply responding, "I never thought of trying to convince anyone; I just showed the real thing." The related debates have not subsided, and this foreign blogger's account has gradually gained popularity through these topics. Canadians are busy comparing their own prices, Britons are amazed by the price of cooking oil, German viewers say "unbelievable," stating that their supermarkets are either closed during holidays or "intermittently closed," unlike this one, which is always open. Some commenters even begged, "Film at another supermarket, maybe the other one is empty..." Obviously, they still hold some illusions.
Russell explained to these skeptical people that there are several such supermarkets near his home, all similar. Russians just walk into the supermarket, buy what they need, and leave directly, each going about their own business. However, for some Western viewers, this scene is beyond expectation. Therefore, every time he posts a new video, it triggers a long debate, and some people try hard to find so-called "hidden meanings" in pictures that have no deep meaning at all. Worse still, some even accused the blogger of being an agent who received money from the Russian government.
The 800th Day of Sanctions
You probably guessed it — this wasn't his first video on supermarkets. In 2024, Russell had already released a video with a rather ironic title — "The State of Russian Supermarkets 800 Days After the Sanctions Were Imposed." At that time, he was in the center of Moscow, randomly entering a well-known chain supermarket. That day happened to be a rest day, and the store was almost empty. Russell immediately explained that Moscow residents usually go to the park or go out of town on such days. As usual, he turned his camera to the shelves of goods and price tags, showing the audience the variety of products available:
"They said many brands left Russia two years ago, but look at these shelves yourselves!" As he walked past the refrigerated cabinets filled with cheese, he said. The shelves in the video were indeed full of goods, both local Russian brands and European products that Western viewers could see at home.
Russell added that the supermarket staff agreed to his filming request without hesitation. Then, he turned his attention to the beverage area, where the shelves were lined with various well-known brand drinks. He mentioned that some products now have different brand names produced locally in Russia, but the selection was still very rich. Subsequently, he went to the alcohol section — here, a wide range of wines were available, both imported and locally produced.
Shifting the Lens to the Market
In another video, Russell visited the Danilovskiy Market. Compared to supermarkets, he clearly preferred this place: "The food here is too abundant!" He praised it, saying that fresh fruits and vegetables can be bought all year round here. However, his main purpose for this visit was not fruits and vegetables, but straight to a "pastry shop." This store sells drinks and snacks from around the world. Russell admitted that he didn't know how these products got into Russia, but the fact was right before their eyes — in Russia, you can get whatever you want. The shelves of this small shop not only had popular snacks and snacks, but also many drinks and appetizers that are difficult to find in European or Australian supermarkets.
"You must be curious about how these abundant products came to Russia. Honestly, I don't know the answer. But I can say that the variety of jams here is definitely the most complete I've ever seen in my life."
Overseas viewers, seeing such a wide variety of products, felt mixed emotions, full of resentment. They all assumed that under the sanctions, these products should not have appeared on Russian shelves.
This Australian blogger simply walks through Russian supermarkets and markets, and yet stirs up the whole West. The West would rather see Russia in ruins, with empty shelves, but the reality is completely different. Ultimately, his so-called provocation is just one thing: showing the most ordinary daily life of Russia on camera. It is precisely this truth that has become the most difficult point for those who firmly believe that "Russia should be in ruins" to accept.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7594336653133513226/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.