Conscripts drafted into the war in Ukraine “threaten to overthrow the Russian regime” because the invasion failed
Dozens of mobilized soldiers have staged an extraordinary mutiny against Vladimir Putin amid mounting unrest over the stuttering invasion of Ukraine.
In footage taken at a military camp, a uniformed conscript is met with loud cheers from his colleagues after he suggested that soldiers overthrow their leaders.
The unnamed reservist spoke about the soldiers’ lack of respect for Putin and his commanders and berated an unseen official for using threats to get people to join the cause.
He ridiculed a policy in his region – the Republic of Tuva in Siberia – of giving a ram to each family of those mobilized.
“You give our families, children, a fat ram [sheep]and some groceries,’ he said, adding disparagingly, ‘What’s that?’
In footage captured in a military camp, a uniformed conscript is met with loud cheers from his colleagues after he suggested that soldiers overthrow their rulers
The unnamed reservist spoke about the soldiers’ lack of respect for Putin and his commanders and berated an unseen official for using threats to get people to join the cause
The Kremlin is rapidly losing support from Russian soldiers while the invasion of Ukraine continues to falter
In his heroic speech – for which he could face severe penalties in Putin’s Russia – the reservist told his senior officers they “threatened us” when they were drafted.
“They told us if we don’t go there [to Ukraine]they would put us in jail,’ he said in his native Tuvan.
“They wouldn’t help our families, they would stop all payments… There aren’t enough walkie-talkies for our squads… How are we supposed to communicate? [in the war zone]?’
He also joined a chorus of front-line voices complaining about the lack of proper gear and equipment.
In the vision, the reservist said his group did not get enough walkie-talkies and proper socks before being sent 3,200 miles to fight for Putin.
“These socks given to us are useless. We’ve bought enough ourselves.’
In his heroic speech – for which he could face severe penalties in Putin’s Russia – the reservist told his senior officers they “threatened us” when they were drafted
He also joined a chorus of front-line voices complaining about the lack of proper gear and equipment
He poked fun at a foreign guitar issued by the army if they weren’t supplied with proper weapons.
“You give us one [imported] Guitar,” he said to the applause of the other conscripts. ‘Will we shoot down a guitar on the battlefield?’
His outburst is all the more significant given that his region is also home to heavily criticized Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whom Putin has steadfastly refused to fire despite fierce demands for his head over the failure of the military campaign.
The reservist asked bluntly, “If there are no people like us, who will you have authority over?”
“To whom are you going to give all your speeches?
To applause from the crowd, he said, “You no longer look like a source of power to our eyes. Maybe we humans should all sit down and decide that you’re no use to us.”
His outburst is all the more significant given that his region is also home to heavily criticized Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whom Putin has steadfastly refused to fire despite fierce demands for his head over the failure of the military campaign
Tuva – an impoverished region – has suffered a high death toll during the war, far more than Moscow.
The region also saw protests against sending men to war, which were violently crushed by Putin’s law enforcement agencies.
News seen in a telegraph channel also said the Tuvan conscripts asked if it was worth tolerating their leaders when they treated conscripts so badly.
At the end of September, Putin announced that 300,000 people with previous combat experience or special skills would be drafted into the frontlines in Ukraine to help in the war.
Reports by dissenting voices from Russia showed that pensioners, men with disabilities and those with no military training or combat experience were being called up to fight on the front lines.
Leaked complaints from newcomers to the front lines in Ukraine show the ailing Russian army is struggling to keep its men clothed, fed and armed.
Often conscripts are told to bring their own supplies, which drives up the cost of standard items like body armor, guns, and camping gear.
Body armor in Russia has risen to around £1,115, with a backpack costing up to £560 and thermal underwear skyrocketing to over £300.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11343917/Conscripts-drafted-Ukraine-war-threaten-topple-Russian-regime-failing-invasion.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 Conscripts drafted into the war in Ukraine “threaten to overthrow the Russian regime” because the invasion failed
