Headwinds for Putin – War in Ukraine continues to rage Russian elite

The Russian soldiers are withdrawing in almost all sectors of the front and the recently announced partial mobilization shows the great need of the Kremlin in the war against Ukraine. The elites in Moscow and St. Petersburg, who have long unconditionally supported Putin’s actions, are growing increasingly angry. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is at the center of the criticism.

While Shoigu announced that 200,000 reservists had already been called up, there were reports from many parts of Russia that the reservists had already returned home. After the partial mobilization, some 200,000 Russians fled to neighboring Kazakhstan alone.

Ex-general accuses army of ‘lying’
Critics include the State Duma deputy and former General Andrei Kartapolov. He accuses the Russian army of “lying” because it only reports on the Ukrainians’ own successes and losses. Others immediately demanded that Shoigu withdraw. There was even a recommendation on television that those in charge in the army should shoot themselves.

Criticism of the army and the defense minister – until now that seemed impossible in Russia, where such statements face years of imprisonment. But now the criticism no longer comes from the opponents of the government, but from the Kremlin supporters – especially from the patriotic quarter.

To date, Putin has always publicly supported his defense minister, but he will not be able to keep Shoigu in office forever. Observers agree that sooner or later the Kremlin boss will at least have to respond to the growing criticism.