Kathrine Frich
The sudden U.S. operation in Venezuela sent shockwaves through Moscow’s pro-war online circles.
Within hours of President Nicolás Maduro’s capture, Russian military bloggers began dissecting what had happened.
Their reactions ranged from outrage over sovereignty to grudging praise for Washington’s execution.
According to the Russian outlet Meduza, the debate exposed both anger and envy inside Russia’s pro-Kremlin blogosphere.
The comments appeared as images circulated from Caracas showing damaged military equipment and reports confirming that U.S. forces had withdrawn after seizing Maduro.
Shock and anger
Several commentators framed the operation as a breach of international norms.
Zakhar Prilepin, a Russian ultranationalist writer, called it “a violation of every conceivable norm of global coexistence,” questioning why Venezuela’s military failed to resist.
Prilepin also asked whether Russia, China, North Korea, and BRICS countries would “finally show their diplomatic fangs and defend Venezuela’s sovereignty,” drawing a pointed comparison with Western support for Ukraine.
Boris Rozhin, writing on his Colonelcassad Telegram channel, described the strike as “a blow to the Global South,” arguing that it harmed both Russian and Chinese interests and signaled a widening global confrontation.
Law of force
Yevgeny Poddubny, a pro-Kremlin war blogger, said the events confirmed that “there is only one real law: the law of the strongest.”
He accused the United States of kidnapping “the president of an independent country” without consequences.
Yuri Kotenok compared the U.S. action to Russia’s 2022 Hostomel operation, noting that American forces faced “no significant resistance,” possibly due to “betrayal, paralysis, or both” within Venezuela’s security services.
Other bloggers echoed the view that the lack of resistance was decisive, suggesting the operation depended heavily on insiders willing to cooperate.
Reluctant praise
Some voices offered technical admiration. The Two Majors Telegram channel said that, jokes aside, the Americans “carried out the operation competently,” calling it fast and effective in contrast to Russia’s prolonged war.
Military Informant described it as a “special military operation by the book,” with limited goals and rapid withdrawal.
The Fisherman channel acknowledged U.S. strengths in preparation and logistics, while cautioning that the Venezuelan case differed fundamentally from Ukraine.
Bitter comparisons
Criticism turned inward as the discussion continued. Vitali Demidkin, a veteran of the FSB’s Alpha Group, said the operation was illegal but “worked,” adding that Russia could do the same “if there was an order.”
Donetsk Infantry mocked Russian commanders for watching events and wondering, “Wait, can you just do this?” The Rusici-linked DShRG channel went further, suggesting, “Maybe it’s time to start hiring American generals and planners to serve Russia?”
Others expressed open frustration. One blogger wrote,
“At this moment, I feel only one thing: shame,” while another noted that Maduro was captured “on the very first day,” contrasting it with Russia’s fourth year of war.
Sources: Meduza, Digi24
