The anniversary of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine is coming. And knowing that symbolic actions are inherent in Vladimir Putin, one should expect some new escalation or provocation from him by February 24.
This was told by an ex-employee of the KGB and the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation. Sergey Zhirnov. In his opinion, Putin is indeed a symbolist, but when we expect some nasty things from him on a certain date, usually nothing happens.
He recalled that on May 9, 2022, the heads of the Kremlin were all waiting for some serious act – the announcement of the start of mobilization, nuclear strikes on Ukraine, and the like.
But he only canceled air parade all over Russia, because he was allegedly afraid that Ukrainian DRGs would be able to shoot down a Russian plane with a Stinger over Red Square. – emphasized the ex-KGB officer.
Russia has officially entered the global war with Ukraine
“However, certain symbols are important for him. On January 11, he changed the military leadership, and those who said that this was a “log shuffling”, I do not agree with them,” the source said. In his opinion, the appointment of the chief of the General Staff and two commanders-in-chief of the branches of the armed forces is a serious change in leadership. This means that Russia has now officially entered into a global war with Ukraine.
It has been three weeks since Valery Gerasimov became the commander of the United Group of Forces, but apart from the “capture” of Soledar, he has no other “achievements”. Although Yevgeny Prigozhin said that this was the merit of his Wagner PPK, Zhirnov noted.
He is sure that the appointment of Gerasimov to the post of Sergei Surovikin is not a punishment for the latter. “If they wanted to punish Surovikin, they would have been eliminated altogether. But he was made deputy to Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff. In fact, the status of this entire leadership was raised,” Zhirnov believes. He recalled that when Surovikin was appointed commander of the Joint Group of Forces, the very next day he began to strike at the critical infrastructure of Ukraine. After all, he is the commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces and is in charge of all aviation, air defense and strategic missile forces.
What Putin can do on the anniversary of the start of the war: watch the video
It's good for Ukrainians that the occupiers are fighting the old way
According to Russian media, on February 20, Putin allegedly plans to address the Federal Assembly and must make some important statements.
Of course, he must do something by the anniversary, otherwise all these rearrangements were not required, he believes.
An ex-employee of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation mentioned that 4 months had already passed since the mobilization was carried out in Russia, and during this time the “Chmobiks” should already have been taught something. Kirill Budanov, head of the GUR, noted that there are approximately 330,000 infidels at the front, who are “smeared” along its 800-kilometer line. According to Zhirnov, the occupiers are stupidly “hollowing” in the Donbass, although it is clear that this does not make sense. After all, when in one place there is a powerful echeloned Ukrainian defense, which has been standing there for 9 years, it is senseless to continue to “pound” it. “But this is good for Ukraine. It will be a big problem if Shoigu, Gerasimov and other generals are replaced by young effective colonels or military men who have recently graduated from a military academy and are ready to fight in a new way. Therefore, it is very good for Ukrainians that Russia is fighting in the old way,” he thinks.
What's happening in Russia: important
- Ukrainian intelligence chief Kirill Budanov doubts the “authenticity” of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin . Earlier, Kirill Budanov noted that Putin has at least three doubles.
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Analysts predict that Russia's war against Ukraine may end in negotiations. However, Vladimir Putin wants to imitate them, because he needs to buy time Political scientist Oleg Sahakyan believes that the Kremlin needs this time to regroup and prepare for a long war in the short term.
- Vladimir Putin still remains the strongest “player” in the Kremlin. However, not such an undisputed leader for the Russians as he was before the start of the war against Ukraine. Russian opposition political strategist Abbas Gallyamov noted that the role of the head of the Kremlin as a moderator in relations between the elites of the aggressor country is weakening and he is no longer so in control of everything that happens in Russia.
