Nashi is one of several groups formed under the auspices of the United Russia Party that cater to the youth of Russia and encourage allegiance to the Kremlin and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. These Russian patriotic youth movements are growing in membership and power within Russia. Read about them below and see photos and videos.
Nashi
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is no amateur when it comes to securing his own future. Several years ago, when he was the Russian President, he started organizing and sponsoring youth divisions of his United Russia Party. There are several of these youth divisions to the party, among them are the popular Nashi (which means ‘Our People’), the Molodaya Gvardia and the Young Guard. These groups are geared towards engaging the youth of Russia in the political process, especially in support of the Kremlin and Putin.
There have been reports that the Kremlin was cutting back its support of these youth organizations. However, their numbers have continued to grow and they continue to make news with their pro-Kremlin and pro-Putin protests, rallies and demonstrations. All of which is mobilized around Putin’s charisma and sex appeal. One of the Putin Generation women gained fame recently when she gave a passionate, emotional patriotic speech at a Komsomol (pro-Kremlin rally). Her name is Maria Sergeyeva and a video of her speech has gone viral on Russian youtube.
During the last Russian Presidential elections, the Nashi took as their motto: “Yebis za naslednika Medvejonka!” (F**K for the heir Puppy Bear! - a reference to a nickname for Russian President Dmitry Medvedev). They campaigned and demonstrated tirelessly on behalf of Putin’s heir, Medvedev. The United Russia Young Guard, Nashi and Molodaya Gvardia youth are unflinching in their support for Putin, Russia and their conservative views.
The Nashi have drawn criticism from those who fear Russian nationalism. Many draw comparisons between the activities of the Nashi youth and Nazi youth organizations of the 1930s. Other’s celebrate them as restoring Russia’s national pride and hope for the future.
The groups view anyone who wants to undermine the independence of Russia as an enemy and support anyone who supports Russia and Putin. Nashi was founded in 2005 and declare themselves to be the ‘Putin Generation’. They range in age from 14 years old to their mid twenties and work towards restoring Russia as a global power.
The members study the Nashi Manifesto. As evidenced from the video below, much of the manifesto has to do with foreign attempts to take control of Russia and to keep Russians poor and dependent. The group has denied that they are funded by the Kremlin, however, its apparently that they receive a great deal of support from the Kremlin. There is a summer camp provided for the youth and Putin will visit them at the camp to talk with them about their pride in Russia and how the United States is sucking up all the resources that Russia needs for her people to live comfortably.
Nashi, in particular, has been known to use intimidation tactics against enemies of Putin at speeches and the polls. They stage demonstrations criticizing and spreading rumors about opponents. They are issued phone cards so they can report signs of dissent against the Kremlin. They actively protest illegal immigration and encourage the use and growth of Russian businesses.
Nashi - Photos
Russian Nashi Recruitment Ad - Video