More than six months after the invasion of Ukraine, dozens of local politicians in Russia have called for the resignation of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. More new supporters would be added, St. Petersburg district council deputy Xenia Torstrem tweeted Tuesday. “We believe that President VV Putin’s actions harm the future of Russia and its citizens,” the petition reads. More than 40 local politicians are said to have signed up. The Russian president also suffers enormous losses in Ukraine.
Several Moscow politicians had already submitted a similar request for resignation to Putin last week. “Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,” the letter from the deputies of the Lomonosov district reads: “You had good reforms in the first and partly in the second term, but after that everything somehow went wrong.”
The signatories also criticized Putin’s rhetoric, which alternated with “intolerance and aggression” and threw Russia back into the Cold War era. “We ask you (…) to leave your position because your views and leadership model are hopelessly outdated.”
Politicians risk many years in prison
The direct effects of such protests are likely to be extremely small, but they are not without danger. Since the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the Russian judiciary has been particularly tough on opposition members and dissenters. According to media reports, investigations are already underway against several politicians in St. Petersburg who have recently called for Putin to be charged with high treason — in view of the war he ordered. They are now charged with “discrediting” the Russian armed forces – which in the worst case could lead to many years in prison.
Parts of the Russian army would be greatly weakened
In addition to calls for his resignation from his own ranks, things aren’t looking as good in Ukraine with Putin as the president had imagined: According to British intelligence, leading units of the Russian army have been greatly weakened by the war in Ukraine. Particularly in the early stages of the war, according to a report, there were heavy casualties from which the troops never recovered. This is how the First Guards Tank Army is hit. Parts of this prestigious unit withdrew from the Kharkiv region last week.
In the event of a war against NATO, the First Guards Tank Army was foreseen to play a leading role. However, the losses have significantly weakened Russia’s conventional combat strength against NATO. The British Ministry of Defense writes that it will take years to rebuild them.
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.
