So do we want to start a pool on how many days until Shoigu has an accidental fall from a fifth story window, mishandles his firearm shooting himself in the back of the head five times, or has a misadventure involving a rope?
Vladimir Putin's military chief misses crucial meeting amid rumors that he will be replaced
Russia’s Defense Minister has missed out on a crucial Security Council video-conference meeting fuelling speculation about his whereabouts and his future.
https://www.ohmymag.co.uk/news/vlad...rumors-that-he-will-be-replaced_art14522.html
Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s Defense Minister and close
Vladimir Putin ally, was
absent yesterday in a video-conference call of the country’s Security Council,
Newsweek reports.
Mounting setbacks
The
absence of the minister, who is a
permanent member of the council, comes after
numerous setbacks on
Russia’s end on the
battlefield in Ukraine and
widespread criticism directed towards
the military and
him specifically,
Newsweek reports.
With the recent
successful Ukrainian counter-offensives,
Shoigu has come
increasingly under fire.
According to
Newsweek, today the
Russian-installed leader of the
Kherson region,
Kiril Stremousov, issued
a stark critique of the minister, advising him
to better shoot himself.
'Many people say that the Minister of Defense, who allowed this state of affairs to happen, could, as an officer,
shoot himself, but, you know, the word 'officer' is an incomprehensible word for many.'
Possible power move
Russian President Vladimir Putinused the meeting yesterday to
declare martial law in the four
annexed regions of Ukraine and
six neighbouring areas of Russia, plus Crimea,
The Sun reports.
The declaration of
martial law by
Putin is a move that will complicate matters on the ground significantly, as it will likely force
Ukrainian citizens to
fight against their own army. Meanwhile,
Shoigu’s no-show in the video conference meeting has fueled lots of speculation about his future.
Experts believe he will be
replaced soon, if not already, by potential candidates like
Sergei Surovikin the
‘Butcher General’ who has been placed recently in charge of directing the
Russian front in Ukraine,
The Sun reports.
Sources used:
-
Newsweek: ‘Putin Ally Shoigu Missing at Meeting as Speculation Grows Over His Future’
-Newsweek: ‘Russian-Appointed Official Tells Putin's Military Chief to 'Shoot Himself'
-
The Sun: ‘POWER MOVE Mystery as Putin’s defence chief ‘goes missing and General Armageddon set to take over role’ after martial law declared’