The American Institute for Studying the War in its next summary writes about the unprecedented wave of criticism addressed to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin due to the surrender of Kherson.
The summary states that the departure of the Russian military from Kherson led to an ideological split between supporters of the war and the Russian president. The retreat undermined the confidence of the nationalists in Putin’s commitment to his promises and his ability to fulfill them. ISW experts give an example the publication of the ideologist of the “Russian world” Alexander Dugin, who openly criticized Putin for the surrender of Kherson.
Nationalist propagandists, such as TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov, increasingly require the Kremlin and the military command of complete inclusion in the war in Ukraine. Soloviev even called for complete mobilization and dismissal of incompetent officials after the surrender of Kherson.
According to ISW, such a direct criticism of Putin in the community of supporters of the war is almost unprecedented, and Dugin’s loud and open attacks on Putin may indicate changes in moods in the circle of ideologists of nationalism.
channels associated with a group of mercenaries “Wagner PMC” also addressed claims to the Kremlin due to Kherson losses – this may indicate a further increase in the influence of security forces. Some bloggers hinted that the Kremlin “sold” Kherson, and noted that the Russian authorities regularly surrender the territories without asking people.
“They also questioned the legitimacy of the declared 87% of the support level of the Russian annexation of the Kherson region,” the analysts summed up.