On the eve of Russian Mother’s Day, which is celebrated this year without their sons present for many mothers, President Vladimir Putin invited a select few of them to the Kremlin to answer their questions. An important message from the president to all women in trouble in the country regarding the coverage of the war in Ukraine: “Don’t believe everything you see on TV or on the internet!”
There was a lot of “fake news” circulating in the context of an information war, Putin noted. Of course people have sympathy for the families in need, the head of state emphasized. The soldiers killed in the nine-month war, which the Kremlin continues to refer to as “special operations,” would never be forgotten.
The resentment against the army leadership is growing
Officially, the Russian government ended partial mobilization for the invasion of Ukraine at the end of October, but Putin did not sign a corresponding decree. Russians continue to receive draft orders as troop morale plummets and complaints mount. Opponents of the war are demanding that mobilization be reversed – your protest is getting a lot of attention online.
Intercepted phone calls from Russian soldiers – mostly newly drafted – to their relatives are also repeatedly circulated on social media. In it, the Russians complain that without adequate training, equipment and food they are being sent to the front lines, where they are fired upon from all sides. Many see surrender as the only salvation. Of course, the Ukrainian government continues to exploit images of soldiers who have defected and calls for further desertions.
Official death toll well below US estimates
Hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers have so far been sent to fight in Ukraine — including some of the more than 300,000 reservists called up as part of the mobilization Putin announced in September. According to US estimates, tens of thousands of soldiers were wounded or killed on both sides. Ukraine does not disclose its losses. Russia last announced on September 21 that 5,937 Russian soldiers had been killed. This figure is well below most international estimates.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
