Russia: voices are raised against the Kremlin's strategy in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his speech ahead of the military parade during Navy Day celebrations on the Neva River in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, July 31, 2022 (illustrative image).
AP - Mikhail Klimentyev
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
In eastern Ukraine, kyiv's counter-offensive is gaining ground, first in the northeast by pushing Russian soldiers towards the border, but also in the southeast, in the famous Donbass in the hands of pro-Russian separatists for eight years.
And although the Kremlin pretends to believe in a controlled retreat of its army in this region of Donestk, a series of criticisms against Vladimir Putin are heard in his own country.
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Last week, city officials in St. Petersburg and Moscow publicly called for Vladimir Putin's departure from power.
In Saint Petersburg, the signatories of a letter addressed to the Duma believe that under the Constitution, the Russian president can be dismissed for "treason".
The letter mentions the loss of human life, the economic damage, the progress of NATO towards the East and the drain of Russian brains towards the West.
A text that earned its authors to be summoned by the police.
In Moscow, elected municipal officials signed a text without reference to the war in Ukraine but calling for the departure of Vladimir Putin, who is accused of having plunged Russia back into the Cold War.
► To read also:
War in Ukraine: battle on the ground and in press releases
Even in nationalist circles...
Another remarkable position is that of the Chechen leader
Ramzan Kadyrov
who, in a message posted on Telegram, castigates the recent failures of the Russian army in Ukraine.
"
If changes do not occur in the conduct of operations, I will be forced to go and explain what is happening to Russian power
," says Kadyrov, whose republic (a member of the Russian Federation) has sent troops to support the Russian army in Ukraine.
►
To read also
: An NGO denounces forced recruitment in Chechnya for the war in Ukraine
There is also gnashing of teeth in Russian nationalist circles: a former member of the intelligence services, Igor Girkin also attacks the Kremlin's military strategy, criticizing the lack of means deployed in Ukraine and in particular the absence of general mobilization in Russia.
At the end of August, Vladimir Putin
signed a decree to increase
the number of soldiers in the Russian army by 10% on January 1, 2023. This war is costly in terms of men and material and this measure can prevent the Kremlin from decreeing a general mobilization dreaded by many Russians.
► Also to listen:
What is the amount of military aid provided to Ukraine?
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Russia
Ukraine
Vladimir Poutine