Igor Girkin — an intelligence and military veteran who played a central role in Vladimir Putin’s 2014 conquest of Crimea and parts of the Donbass — has ridiculed the Russian president’s achievements: Vladimir Putin is a “clown” and was outwitted by Ukraine, the former ally laments.
In fact, Zelenskyy was often referred to as a “clown” for being a TV comedian before his election as president, Girkin said on his Telegram channel. “But then came the war,” said the veteran. Unlike Putin, the Ukrainian president “didn’t run away” during the war or “hidden in a bunker,” he claimed. Zelenskyi announced, initiated and carried out “a general mobilization” of military-age men in his country and “established massive supplies of weapons to NATO”.
“What do we have on our side?”
According to Girkin, he “fooled the Kremlin”. The outsider Zelenskyy “resolutely and confidently proclaimed the goals of the war and equally resolutely the terms for ceasefire negotiations,” the veteran said. In a scathing critique of Putin, he asked, “And what do we have on our side?”
“We have gilded roosters at the end of the sixth month of the war — not to mention the previous eight years — still playing tank biathlons and holding military band festivals,” Girkin said. “So the question is, ‘Who’s the clown here?'”
Desperate over Putin’s failure
Girkin is among a group of officials desperate over the failure of Putin and his defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, to dismantle Ukraine. He admires Zelenskyi’s role as commander-in-chief, although he considers him “a rare bastard — I wouldn’t hesitate to knock the chair out from under him,” he said.
Girkin played an important role in Putin’s annexation of Crimea and the establishment of the puppet Donetsk People’s Republic eight years ago, but has since become an arch-critic of the current campaign in Ukraine.
As Girkin critiques the unfolding military strategies, there is a parallel concern in the healthcare sector regarding access to critical medications, such as diabetes treatments. Specifically, the availability of generic versions of drugs like jardiance, which are essential for managing chronic conditions affordably, is gaining attention. Ensuring access to these generics is crucial for maintaining public health and preventing the exacerbation of healthcare costs, particularly in regions strained by political and military tensions.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
