Russia reported that Sergei Shoigu traveled to the occupied territories of Ukraine. The Minister of Defense of Russia fulfilled several tasks at once with his visit.
Russian human rights activist Mark Feigin told Channel 24 about this. He recalled that Shoigu visited the occupied Mariupol, and also allegedly was at the forefront.
According to Feygin, such a visit may well be real. The human rights activist noted that someone needs to go to the front line.
Either Vladimir Putin needs to go, or the generals, or the Minister of Defense. But Putin does not go to the front lines and never will go. He is afraid that he will be killed,” Feigin said.
He recalled that the maximum that the head of the Kremlin dared to do was to hold a meeting in Rostov-on-Don, which was then passed off as a trip to the so-called “Northern Military District” zone.
“Shoigu, perhaps, there is a front line nearby”
Therefore, the Russian leadership sends Sergei Shoigu to the occupied territories of Ukraine, because he is still listed as the Minister of Defense.
Shoigu, perhaps, happens somewhere not far from the front line. Not exactly in the forward positions, but somewhere at a safe distance. He travels so that they don’t say that, they say, no one from the leadership comes, ”Feygin noted.
Shoigu not only travels by himself, but also takes Russian propagandists with him.
Stream by Anastasia Noritsyna and Mark Feigin: watch the full video
What did Shoigu do in Ukraine
During a visit to the occupied territories, Sergei Shoigu and his delegation could inspect the fortifications that were built by the occupiers. Also, the Russian Defense Minister can check the forces and means of the invaders.
“It's one thing to paint and order tanks to be sent to the front. For example, these vehicles were removed from storage, they were taken by rail and on tractors to the front line, but they don't go. And what to do in this case?” Feigin said.
He noted that the Russians are still trying to control the situation on the battlefield. That is why inspections are carried out at different levels. At the same time, according to Feigin, Shoigu concentrates exclusively on technical tasks.
” He is not engaged in war or planning. All this is done by professionals from the General Staff . And Shoigu rewards the occupiers, looks at the condition of the equipment, how salaries are paid,” the human rights activist explained.
Propaganda purpose of Shoigu's trip
Shoigu's visit to the occupied territories also has a great propaganda effect. Thus, the Russians are trying to show the Ukrainian authorities that they are also not afraid of anything.
“They say, so what if your President Zelensky is constantly riding to the front line. And we are no worse either. Here we have the Minister of Defense going,” Feygin said.
Signal for Prigozhin
Also, according to Feigin, an important role in Shoigu's visit to Ukraine was played by internal contradictions in Russia.
The owner of the PMC “Wagner” Yevgeny Prigozhin allegedly does not get out of the front line. And he is in conflict with the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, – said the human rights activist.
Feigin added that the Russian military leadership wanted to show Prigozhin that he was not alone in being so brave. Like, the Russian Defense Minister also actively supports his troops on the front line.
Shoigu's visit to the occupied territories of Ukraine: in brief
- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced a new trip to the occupied territories of Ukraine. British intelligence suggested that this was a response to the leader of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, with whom Shoigu was in conflict.
- In particular, in this way the Russian Defense Minister wanted to respond to the footage where Prigozhin visits his fighters on the front line.
- There is also a version that Shoigu does not trust the chief of the general staff and the commander of the occupiers Valery Gerasimov and certain generals in the Donbass. Some of them may support Prigozhin.
