As a former Acting U.S. Naval Attaché who made a few mistakes myself, I can understand the sentiment and admire this officer's courage, but maybe not his judgment.
Apparently, Dale Samuel, Naval Attaché of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, took a selfie while flipping off a sticker of a ‘Z' symbol on a pole while cycling through the Russian capital. But that wasn't the real issue.
The problem is the U.S. military diplomat, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), as all attachés are, got caught on CCTV camera.
And like any good American military man, once he realized it, he doubled down and flipped off the camera as well as he left in his car.
American Military News (AMN) notes:
The “Z” has come to serve as a major symbol of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February, hundreds of Russian tanks, armored vehicles and troop transports entered the country with a white “Z” painted on their tops and sides. It is not clear what the original meaning of the Russian “Z” symbol is and there is no such letter in the Russian Cyrillic alphabet.
The images of the suspected U.S. military officer flipping off this symbol of Russian aggression against Ukraine enraged Russian commentators.
AMN adds that:
During a June 23 panel discussion on the state-run Russia 1 television channel, Russian Duma lawmaker Aleksey Zhuravlyov said, “Let this bitch step out once again. We're going to find him. Step out, ride out of the Embassy. I'll personally explain to you, bastard, what country you're in and how you're supposed to treat these symbols. If I don't manage to do this, then our activists will do that. Go for a ride, we're waiting for you, bastard.”
Meanwhile, “The Defense Intelligence Agency [DIA] is looking into the matter and will refer credible allegations for appropriate action,” DIA spokeswoman Amanda Schuler-Zepp told Navy Times.
Let's see if the Attaché gets ‘pinged' (declared ‘persona non grata') by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or if the DIA/State Department simply recalls him back to Washington.
Justified or not, after incidents like this, it simply becomes extremely difficult, if not untenable to do your job. Dale may be riding a desk at DIA HQ in D.C. very soon. ALD
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The Russian oligarchs and thugs running the country have laws? How about that! Kudos to the American naval attache for calling it what it is! And the Russian creep broke his collarbone in a bicycle accident? Karma!
Well, the American Oligarchs and thugs running their country have laws? How about that!
He’s too stupid to be on Staff there,send him home.
You have to show respect for the country you are in, whether you approve of said country or not
Tough borscht, Komrades. Stop killing innocents if you expect any respect at all.
Bad scene
Well done sir!
He is a dummy to do such in that country. If he hasn’t got more sense than that, you need to get him out of there for his own good.
While I’m sure CAPT Samuel knew he was on multiple cameras and that this would get out, he isn’t helping the cause with the Russian people who don’t support the invasion of Ukraine, despite Ukraine violence against ethnic Russians prior to the invasion. Providing propaganda to your adversary is always a losing hand.
The ‘Z’ symbol isn’t ‘copyrighted’ the Russians may not get that , we’re in a frikkin war anyways – any ‘symbol’ is likely to be ‘ abused ‘ – Ha-Ha to the upper-crusters in Russky Leadershipwho have their ‘feelings hurt’ who cares – let’s consider the civilians murdered & the business deals with any Russian enterprise , from WW2 to present , that went sour- anywhere – before shedding any crocadile tears Zorro used the ‘Z’ symbol also , but he was the Good Guy – too bad he’s dead !
Broken collarbone eh? God works in wondrous ways, his miracles to perform.
That’s going to raise hell with that Eastern European practicing the Bagpipes. Some barbarians claim they are not harmonious. I’ll leave that call to your judgment.
Rumor has it that Biden spent all his time in the cellar playing the bagpipes while his election was being “organized”. His keepers say he wasn’t very talented with the pipes either.
Looks like larceny is all he’s good at.
Zo has this Clown declared a ‘Private War’ on Russia from within the Embassy? If they can get him out under Diplomatic cover he might avoid the Russian Mafia and Spetznaz who will be looking to get hold of him!