Genshin Impact: The New Fault Line in Putin's Russia
By A. Finch of BBC

Moscow: A new fault line is emerging in the already fractured landscape of Russian politics, and it's not a matter of ideology or economics, but rather a seemingly innocuous mobile game: Genshin Impact. This seemingly harmless game, a popular online role-playing adventure, has become the latest battleground in the war for the hearts and minds of the Russian people, with potential repercussions for the very foundations of the Putin regime.

The latest salvo in this peculiar conflict came from none other than outspoken Duma deputy, Vitaly Milonov, a man known for his staunchly conservative views. Milonov, in a fiery speech delivered to a group of outraged mothers, labelled Genshin Impact players as "losers", claiming the game is a "gateway drug to Western degeneracy" and a "threat to traditional Russian values".

This attack was swiftly met with a retort from Ekaterina Mizulina, the head of the League of Safe Internet and a figure of authority in the world of online censorship. Mizulina, in a typically dry and sarcastic manner, responded with a tweet: "When your computer can't handle Genshin…"  This seemingly innocuous remark has been interpreted by many as a sly dig at Milonov, highlighting his own lack of technological awareness and perhaps even a hint of support for the game.

The exchange, while seemingly trivial, has sparked a fierce debate within the Russian elite, revealing a deep divide between those who see Genshin Impact as a harmless pastime and those who view it as a subversive tool of the West.

This divide is not merely symbolic. It reflects a wider struggle for control over the hearts and minds of the younger generation, who are increasingly turning to online platforms for entertainment and information. By attacking Genshin Impact, Milonov is attempting to stoke anxieties about foreign influence and to present himself as a defender of traditional values. However, his efforts may be backfiring, with young Russians seeing him as out of touch and his pronouncements as ridiculous.

Mizulina's response, on the other hand, suggests a more nuanced understanding of the power of the digital world. By subtly acknowledging the popularity of the game and by using a seemingly innocuous tweet to make a point, she is demonstrating a more astute grasp of the new reality of digital culture.

This debate over Genshin Impact is a microcosm of the wider struggle between the old guard and the new generation in Russia. It highlights the growing divide between those who cling to the past and those who embrace the future.  And while it may seem like a frivolous matter, the ultimate outcome of this cultural clash could have profound implications for the future of Russia and the future of the Putin regime.

As the battle for the hearts and minds of the Russian people continues, the eyes of the world are on this unexpected new front line: the world of Genshin Impact.

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