Putin allies are starting to complain publicly that his Ukraine war isn't going well
Russian military bloggers and nationalist commentators have been complaining for weeks about the state of Russian President Vladimir Putin's "special military operation" in Ukraine. But after Ukraine routed Russian forces in northeastern Kharkiv province over the weekend, that criticism went nearly mainstream.
Russian military leaders "have made mistakes," said Kremlin-backed Chechnya strongman Ramzan Kadyrov. "If they don't make changes in the strategy of conducting the special military operation in the next day or two, I will be forced to contact the leadership of the Defense Ministry and the leadership of the country to explain the real situation on the ground."
Pro-Kremlin political analyst Sergei Markov criticized the government's lavish public celebration of Moscow's 875th birthday on Saturday. "The fireworks in Moscow on a tragic day of Russia's military defeat will have extremely serious political consequences," he wrote. "Authorities mustn't celebrate when people are mourning." Sergei Mironov, the leader of a pro-Putin party in Parliament, agreed, tweeting, "It cannot be and it should not be that our guys are dying today, and we are pretending that nothing is happening!"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The criticism even broke through on Russian state TV.
So far, the criticism has focused on the Defense Ministry, shielding Putin "from the responsibility for setting unattainable goals for the invasion and likely micromanaging military operations," the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War reports.
But "Ukraine's rout of Russian forces this weekend is creating a new kind of political challenge" for Putin, undercutting "the image of competence and might that he has worked for two decades to build," The New York Times reports. Putin now finds himself "presiding over a six-month war against an increasingly energized enemy and a Russian populace that does not appear to be prepared for the sacrifices that could come with an escalating conflict," largely because the Kremlin has been telling them "the Russian Army is undefeatable," Ukraine "is riddle with corruption and cowardice," and "Putin is a brilliant geopolitical strategist."
"Strength is the only source of Putin's legitimacy," Abbas Gallyamov, a former speechwriter for Putin who now lives in Israel, told the Times. "And in a situation in which it turns out that he has no strength, his legitimacy will start dropping toward zero." If Ukrainian forces "continue to destroy the Russian army as actively as they are now," he added, "then all this can accelerate even faster."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why is Ukraine backing far-right militias in Russia?
Today's Big Question The role of the fighters is a 'double-edged sword' for Kyiv, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
What does victory now look like for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Not losing is as important as winning as the tide turns in Russia's favour again
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 years
Speed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for Ukraine
Speed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Will Putin agree to a Ukraine ceasefire in 2024?
Today's Big Question Russian leader 'ready to make a deal' amid growing opposition to war but 'no evidence' that Kyiv would cede territory
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Russia's thorny convict-soldier problem
Under the Radar Putin's Ministry of Defense, like Wagner, is recruiting soldiers from Russian prisons to fight his Ukraine war. Russians aren't excited about them returning home.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published