Former Russian Militia Commander Expresses Deep Dissatisfaction With The Conduct Of The Ukraine War

FILE PHOTO: Investigators present latest findings in MH17 downing, in Nieuwegein © Thomson Reuters   

Reuters: Some Russian soldiers in Ukraine unhappy with top brass, Girkin says 

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Some Russian officers fighting in Ukraine are unhappy with the military top brass and President Vladimir Putin because of the poor execution of the war, an influential nationalist Russian blogger said after visiting the conflict zone.

Nearly 10 months since Putin ordered troops into Ukraine, there is no end in sight to the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two. 

In modern Russia, direct public criticism of Putin is rare though nationalist bloggers have been outspoken about the conduct of the war, especially the costly Russian defeats in Ukraine's Kharkiv region in September. 

Igor Girkin, a nationalist and former Federal Security Service (FSB) officer who helped Russia annex Crimea in 2014 and then organise pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine, said there was some discontent with the top brass. 

In a scathing 90-minute video analysing Russia's execution of the war, Girkin said the "fish's head is completely rotten" and that the Russian military needed reform and an intake of competent people who could lead a successful military campaign. 

Some at the mid-levels of the military, Girkin said, were open about their dissatisfaction with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and even Putin.  

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Update: Ex-Russian operative who visited the front in Ukraine says Russian troops are in disarray due to a 'crisis of strategic planning' (Business Insider)  

WNU Editor: Igor Girkin is basically saying the same thing that I have been saying to my friends/contacts/and family back in Russia. What are the strategic goals? Why is this war being fought? What is the end game? I have yet to get an answer from anyone. 

Unfortunately I see history repeating itself. The second Chechen war was one long grueling conflict that lasted 9 years and ended up with a destroyed Chechnya. The Kremlin never properly articulated why that war was being fought, with the exception that they had to win it. 

The same for Russia's involvement in the Syrian civil war. No proper explanation on why Russia was involved in that war, with the exception that they had to win. 

And now Ukraine. The same line that they have to win without properly defining what winning is.

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