Heavy casualties for Russia: Defense minister criticized – “Criminal negligence”
Created: 05/17/2022, 04:56
By: Tobias Utz
Domestic political pressure in Russia continues to grow after heavy losses in the Ukraine war.
After the chief of staff, the defense minister comes under criticism.
Moscow – Russia's plan to take Ukraine within 15 days failed early on.
The government in Kyiv recently described this approach as "phase one" of the Ukraine war.
After the slowed-down offensive in Donbass (“phase two”), the Russian army is now apparently in “phase three”.
According to an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, this means that the armed forces will defend previous territorial gains before attacking new regions.
According to information from the Ukrainian general staff of May 14, more than 27,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since Russia has suffered heavy losses. Domestic political pressure on the Kremlin is also growing.
After Vladimir Putin last looked for and found the culprit for the losses in Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu now has to do the job.
Ukraine War: Russian military suffers heavy casualties
Igor Girkin, a former commander well known in Russia, recently harshly criticized the defense minister.
"I directly accuse Sergey Shoigu of at least criminal negligence," he wrote on Telegram.
"I have no reason to accuse him of treason.
But I would guess so.” So far, the Kremlin has not commented on Girkin's allegations.
These are the sharpest public criticism of the military leadership to date.
Shoigu and Putin on May 9 in Moscow.
© Mikhail Metzel/Imago Images
Shoigu and Putin instead appeared side by side in the military parade marking "Victory Day" over Nazi Germany on May 9.
Despite repeated setbacks in the Ukraine war, the Russian president has so far avoided distancing himself from Shoigu.
The defense minister surprisingly reappeared several weeks ago after it was suspected that he had fallen out of favor with Putin.
Sergei Shoigu on May 9 in Moscow.
© Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP/dpa
However, the head of the Ukrainian military intelligence service suspects that there will soon be a political change in the Kremlin.
He also sees a turning point in the Ukraine war.
(do)
