Russia can still show some successes in Ukraine.
A group of hardliners has probably formed in the country who criticize Vladimir Putin because of the war.
Moscow - The little progress made by the Russian army in Ukraine is now causing great dissatisfaction in Moscow.
Actually, from the Kremlin's point of view, the Ukraine war should only last a few days.
However, it has now lasted more than a year and Russia has no significant military achievements, according to the American think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
A group of critics of the Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is now being formed around the former Russian secret service officer Igor Girkin, the ISW reports in its analysis of the Easter weekend.
"We form the Angry Patriots Club".
According to Girkin, the war is having negative effects throughout Russia: "I'm not afraid to say it, we are moving towards military defeat." Russia had started a war for which its economy was completely unprepared.
"Our army and political system weren't ready for that either."
Ukraine war: Kremlin largely 'anti-war' according to Girkin
The group assumes a possible civil war in Russia if the situation in Ukraine does not change drastically from the Russian point of view.
The group holds the Kremlin primarily responsible for developments in the war so far.
According to the group, large parts of the leadership team are “anti-war”, the ISW further reported.
The Kremlin's calculus is to make peace with "the West" and regain control of the wealth that is in the West.
During the war, Girkin had already criticized Putin for not taking strong enough action in Ukraine.
Putin's circle of power in the Kremlin - the confidants of the Russian President
Putin's circle of power in the Kremlin - the confidants of the Russian President
Ukraine war: Russia misses war targets in Ukraine
According to Western military experts, Russia's winter offensive in eastern Ukraine has failed.
The ISW wrote that the goals set for a complete capture of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions had not been achieved.
The analysts therefore expect a new restructuring of the Russian command structures for the war against Ukraine in the near future.
The chief of staff, Valeri Gerasimov, who was appointed commander of the troops in the war zone in January, did not meet the expectations of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, it said.
He could hardly show any territorial gains.
Putin had already changed commanders several times.
According to ISW, March 31 was the target date for Gerasimov to capture the entire Donbass.
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Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin (archive image)
© Kremlin Pool/Imago
Ukraine war: According to experts, Russia lacks combat power
The experts justify the failure with the lack of combat effectiveness of the Russian troops.
In the Donetsk region, fighting that has been going on for months continued to focus on the strategic city of Bakhmut and the region.
There is no end in sight to this bloodiest battle of the war to date.
Russia has repeatedly stated that it is preparing for a long war in view of the western supply of arms to Ukraine.
According to Russian military bloggers, Moscow's armed forces should take Bakhmut and Avdiivka in preparation for the spring offensive by Ukrainian forces expected in April.
The bloggers who observe and analyze the actions of the Russian troops have recently intensified their criticism of the military leadership in Moscow.
As before, the public utterances of these ultranationalists are likely to influence Putin's decisions.
(lp/dpa)
List of rubrics: © Kremlin Pool/Imago
