Dmitry Puchkov used a slur against some Russians who moved abroad while discussing a new U.S. digital service.
On Radio Sputnik, blogger and translator Dmitry Puchkov, known as Goblin, called some Russians who had left the country “mentally ill.” The discussion concerned America.gov, a new U.S. digital service described as being modelled on Russia’s Gosuslugi portal.
Journalist Alyona Minchuk suggested that some Russians who had previously criticised Gosuslugi might use the American service and dismiss the apparent inconsistency by saying “it’s different.” Puchkov responded with an insult and said their behaviour could be the subject of a dissertation.
Puchkov had previously called Russians who left without a plan “really stupid” and suggested many expected to return. These were his opinions, not established facts about the people he described.