• MILITARY: Brazil-France submarine programme (Graphic DUE Mar 28, 15:00GMT)
  • SPACE: Calls for protected moon sites (Graphic DUE Mar 28, 16:00GMT)
  • ACCIDENT: Why did Baltimore bridge collapse? (Graphic DUE Mar 28, 17:30GMT)
  • For full details of graphics available/in preparation, see Menu -> Planners
 Spot voor Poetins oorlogshaviken infographic
Graphic shows Russian criticism of Putin’s top brass.
GN43305NL

OEKRAÏNE

Poetins oorlogshaviken bespot

By Duncan Mil

October 5, 2022 - The fall of Lyman in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, hours after declaring it part of Russian territory, has prompted a level of finger-pointing that threatens President Vladimir Putin’s hold on power.

It’s not opposition voices who are unhappy with how the defence ministry is conducting its war in Ukraine but pro-war allies of Putin.

In a 580-word social media post on October 1, Ramzan Kadyrov, the warlord leader of Russia’s southern Russian republic of Chechnya and a staunch Putin supporter, singled out General Alexander Lapin, commander of Russia’s Central Military District, and senior officers at the Russian General Staff for the loss of Lyman.

“If I had my way, I would have demoted Lapin to private, stripped him of his awards, given him an assault rifle and sent him to the front to wash away his shame with blood.” Kadyrov declared in his Telegram post -- read more than 7.6 million times.

“This is probably a symbolic watershed moment, and not only militarily but also politically,” said State TV host Vladimir Solovyov -- one of Putin’s most vocal supporters.

However, when Solovyov tried to endorse Kadyrov’s scathing criticism of General Lapin over Lyman’s loss, the presenter cut him off.

When asked about Kadyrov’s remarks, Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Group of mercenaries, referred to top generals as “jerk-offs” who should be sent barefoot to the front lines.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 05/10/2022; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Getty Images
Advertisement