Ukraine has reportedly taken control of large areas, including the cities of Izjum and Kupyansk.
In Russia, especially on the Telegram social media service, Ukraine’s apparently quick counterattack has raised criticism against the Russian leadership. This week several bloggers have criticized Russia’s actions and operation in Ukraine, wrote The Guardian magazine (you will switch to another service) on Thursday.
According to a researcher at ISW, a think tank that studies the war in the United States, the discussion among bloggers about the movements of the army has been heated in recent days.
– The discussion between Russian bloggers after Ukraine’s counterattack in the Kharkiv region shows that the Kremlin has difficulties responding to unexpected surprises on the information front, the researcher tweeted Kateryna Stepanenko on Friday.
One of the most vocal blockers of the far right has the following on his Telegram account Igor Girkinwho already last Monday criticized Russia’s actions in harsh words.
– The war in Ukraine will continue until it ends with the defeat of Russia, Girkin wrote according to The Guardin. According to him, Russia had already lost.
Girkin was a “war hero” in Russia, who later started to review (you switch to another service) president Vladimir Putin and Russia’s activities. Girkin has been on the sanctions list, as he has been suspected of organizing the executions of Ukrainian soldiers while in Ukraine in 2014.
A popular supporter of war Starshe Eddy -blogger, on the other hand, had commented that Ukraine outplayed Russia perfectly in Balaklija. Also a pro-Kremlin journalist Aleksandr Kots has demanded the truth from the military leadership instead of hiding bad news.
The Russian leadership has not commented on Ukraine’s rapid advance in the Kharkiv region. On Sunday, Russia announced the withdrawal of the country’s troops in the Kharkiv area. Russian according to the Ministry of Defense (you move to another service) troops are sent to strengthen operations in the neighboring region of Donetsk.
“Russia made mistakes”
Surprisingly, also Putin’s ally, the leader of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov considers the Russian “operation” a failure and demanded changes.
– I’m not a strategist, like in the Ministry of Defense. Mistakes were made, I think they will draw their conclusions, Kadyrov said in a voice message posted on Telegram According to Meduza (you will switch to another service).
Girkin also criticized the fireworks in the city of Moscow this weekend in Telegram.
– And yes, tonight the capital of our fatherland, the city of Moscow, will greet the surrender of Balakliya, Izjum and half of Kupyansk to the enemy with 25,000 fireworks, Girkin wrote (you are switching to another service).
Meduza also told Putin did (you switch to another service) on the weekend, nothing but focused on the war situation.
Girkin and the extremist commenters on Telegram have been allowed to exercise their freedom of speech without interference. In Russia, criticizing military actions can result in a 15-year prison sentence.
According to The Guardian’s experts, some of the bloggers help to release anger or are protected by contacts in the army or security services.
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The reported progression of Ukraine’s counterattack is surprising – we know this from a situation where few things are certain