…BUT #PUTIN CONFIDENT IN HIS GRIP ON POWER: Putin is overseeing the largest overhaul of his defense ministry since the outbreak of full-scale war, seemingly secure in his political position as he starts a fifth term, the New York Times reports.
The recent arrests of five top Russian military officers are likely just the first of dozens of military figures who will be jailed in a sweeping purge by the security services.
“There is a fierce cleanup underway. The #FSB is mopping up [former Defense Minister Sergei] #Shoigu's team. It’s to be expected. This kind of operation can only be carried out with approval at the very top [of the country's leadership]”
Perhaps someone can help with this problem... and help get more aid to Ukraine.
VIDEO: "Short on air defenses and waiting for more international military support, Ukraine is turning to improvised weapons to hold Russian soldiers back on the front line. DW's Nick Connolly met soldiers who are using agricultural drones to make up for missing firepower."
As of yesterday, #Putin has sacrificed 500,000 #Russian people in his criminal war against #Ukraine.
A mass murderer not only of the people of Ukraine, but also of his own people
As of yesterday, #Putin has sacrificed 500,000 #Russian people in his criminal war against #Ukraine.
A mass murderer not only of the people of Ukraine, but also of his own people
"FSB Launches Sweeping Purge of Military Elites With Kremlin’s Approval
The purge of top officers is the result of infighting between the #FSB and the military over the failure to capture Kyiv and competition for defense funds."
"Shoot in the direction of the United States and see what happens" - it's not just the Russian propagandists, almost all the Russian population is like that, after years of propaganda.
Former president Donald #Trump again invoked authoritarian leaders at a rally Thursday, a reminder of a vision he has been outlining for a potential second term.
Trump referenced Russian President Vladimir #Putin, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, Chinese leader #Xi Jinping and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor #Orban.
Trump said the leaders were “at the top of their game, whether you like it or not.”
Russian President Vladimir #Putin said on Friday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr #Zelenskiy had no legitimacy following the expiry of his five-year term and this would raise a legal obstacle if #Russia and #Ukraine were to hold peace talks.
With Ukraine under martial law in the third year of Russia's full-scale invasion, Zelenskiy has not faced elections despite the expiry of his five-year term this week.
" Zelenskyy calls for NATO nations to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine
A key Finnish lawmaker previously told Breaking Defense that he would "embrace" such an idea. "
Greg Sargent interviews Nichoals Grossman to discuss Trump's claim that Putin will release Evan Gershkovich if Trump is electioned:
"This is yet another way Trump is wrecking the guardrails of democracy, this time by openly sabotaging current US foreign policy expressly to help himself politically while aligning himself with the world's autocrats and dictators – in this case Putin."