Amid Russia’s restructuring of its offensive war against Ukraine, a debate rather unusual for laymen is causing heads to shake. Since the new Russian chief of staff, Valeri Gerasimov, took over command, a ban on beards and mobile phones should ensure more discipline. There is not only criticism, but also ridicule from within – and from a prominent position.
Unusual haircuts, using mobile phones, riding in civilian vehicles or wearing non-compliant uniforms and “improving the shaving of the soldiers” – with such measures Gerasimov wants to “improve the daily discipline of the deployed troops”, as stated in the morning report of the British secret service on Monday.
Although there were initial doubts whether these bans really exist, former Lieutenant General and State Duma representative Viktor Sobolev commented on the cause in an interview with the news site “RBC”. “If a soldier is unkempt and unshaven, it is not a compliment to him as a person or as a soldier,” Sobolev said.
Kadyrov: “What is this nonsense?”
But the reactions of senior military officials also suggest that the orders were genuine – from none other than “Putin’s cook” and Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigoshin and notorious Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. “As if there were no problems up front. What kind of nonsense is this?” Kadyrov wrote on Telegram. Such a ban is “absurd” and a clear provocation against the Muslim soldiers who wear beards “as part of their religious duty”.
Prigozhin: Shave in the front “absolute luxury”
“War is the time for the active and courageous and not for the clean-shaven,” Prigozhin said in the Debate. At the front, a shave is an absolute luxury and a mobile phone ban is archaic and outdated.
Officials in the Donetsk People’s Republic went even further with their formulations. Such prioritization is a “farce” and would “obstruct the process of destroying the enemy,” British intelligence quoted a local response as saying.
Little support for new commander
Meanwhile, even under the new leadership, the Russian army is not really getting going – the troops mainly struggle with operational stagnation and high losses in the battles. The priorities of the new commander in Ukraine should further confirm the fears of his many skeptics in Russia.
Along with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, he is increasingly seen as out of touch with reality – focusing more on presenting the military than the essentials, according to the critics.
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.
