Taboo against unmasked Putin regime criticism has significantly weakened, MOD reports
The taboo against unmasked criticism of the Putin regime has significantly weakened, according to the intelligence update from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) on the situation in Ukraine.
Russian former intelligence officer and leading nationalist mil-blogger (military blogger) Igor Girkin, according to the MOD's intelligence was "almost certainly arrested for 'extremism' on 21 July 2023".
"Girkin has long been a critic of the Russian Ministry of Defence's conduct of the war. However, in recent days his comments turned to direct criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his time in power", the intelligence report.
The MOD added: "The move is likely to infuriate fellow members of the mil-blogger community - and elements within the serving military - who largely see Girkin as an astute military analyst and patriot.
"He (Girkin) played a major role in Russia's war in the Donbas from 2014 and spent months on the front line in 2022.
"While Girkin is no ally of the Wagner Group, he was likely only prepared to push the limits of public criticism in the context of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's June 2023 abortive mutiny. The taboo against unmasked criticism of the Putin regime has significantly weakened."
Referring to the Russian President, Girkin had reportedly written earlier this week: "The country won't survive another six years with this talentless coward in power."
According to The Times report, Girkin, who is also known as Igor Strelkov, was found guilty last year by a court in the Hague of shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014, causing the death of all 298 people on board.
With Russia refusing to extradite him, he was sentenced to life in prison in his absence.
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense recently reported that Russia "continues to methodically destroy the agricultural infrastructure of southern Ukraine".
In a post to Twitter they said: "Last night, they launched two Kalibr missiles to destroy 100 tons of peas and 20 tons of barley belonging to an agricultural enterprise in Odesa region. Two people were injured."
Black Sea
Russia's bombardment of Ukrainian ports along the Black Sea could have far-reaching impacts on global food security, UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo said on Friday in a briefing to the Security Council.
Ms DiCarlo strongly condemned the aerial strikes on the ports in Odesa, Chornomorsk and Mykolaiv, which reportedly destroyed critical infrastructure and killed or injured civilians.
According to the UN, "the attacks followed Russia's decision on Monday to effectively end the Black Sea Initiative, the UN-brokered accord that facilitated Ukrainian grain and foodstuffs to be shipped to international markets at a time of spiralling global food prices and rising hunger".
Ms DiCarlo highlighted during the UN briefing that the latest developments as more evidence of Russia's "senseless war against its neighbour", which she stressed would have consequences that can be felt around the world.
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