A top Vladimir Putin general and ex-deputy defence minister has demanded an end to the “lies” over the Kremlin leader’s war with Ukraine as Russia descends into infighting.
General Andrei Kartapolov lambasted the Moscow military chiefs for their performance over the war.
Now an MP in charge of the parliamentary defence committee, his outburst is the latest example of a vicious blame game over Russian losses in the war.
He ripped into the defence ministry headed by close Putin friend and vacation buddy Sergei Shoigu.
The Kremlin leader is now under fierce pressure to sack Shoigu and replace him with a hardliner, even though the critics are ignoring the fact that many of the Russian problems stem from Putin’s inept invasion plan and his constant insistence on micromanaging the war.
"First of all, you have to stop lying,” said Kartapolov, who has commanded Russia ’s western military district - whose forces are central to the Ukraine campaign - and Putin’s army in Syria.
The daily military communiques boast of phantom successes, said the reservist colonel-general on the SolvyovLive show with Putin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov.
Even in World War Two, the Soviet people were better informed, he said in his withering attack.
“[People need to] understand [like during WW2 from military communiques] that the situation is dire and our Motherland is in danger because the enemy is on our land,” he said.
He accused the defence ministry of lying over Ukraine’s successes.
“Now we also have an enemy on our land,” he said.
“And I am not even talking about the newly acquired [invaded territory in Ukraine].
"Almost all the border villages of [Russia’s] Belgorod region have been destroyed. We have the Russian city of Valuyki - a fortress city, by the way - being constantly shelled.
“But we learn about this from the [regional] governor, from …Telegram channels, from military correspondents, and no-one else.”
He mocked: “The Defence Ministry reports practically do not change their content.
“‘Ten shells have been shot down, 50 target sites have been hit, hundreds of Nazis have been killed'. And that's it.”
But he warned: “People know [what is really going on].”
The Kursk governor Roman Starovoyt - a former Putin deputy transport minister - also hit out at the “just awful” mobilisation of Russian troops.
"I cannot understand how an active training unit of the Ministry of Defence can be in such condition,” he said.
“A rundown canteen, broken and rusty showers, a lack of beds …
“There is a shortage of uniforms, the parade ground looks like it has been bombed.”
Respected independent journalist Alexei Venediktov said: “This mobilisation is not going in the right way.
“It should not, just like the special [military] operation, but it is happening.
"People who should not be mobilised in line even with this law, are being [conscripted].
“This must be addressed.”
Kremlin propagandists were up in arms because “this mobilisation wave hit part of Putin's own supporters who are outraged”, he said.
There is a crescendo of criticism from until-now loyal Putinites and military experts over the war and mobilisation shambles.
Kartapolov’s blitzkrieg matches another military commander and normally loyalist MP Andrey Gurulev, who said recently over the loss of the Lyman stronghold in Ukraine: “I cannot explain this surrender in military terms.
“It is probably a milestone not only militarily, but also politically, especially now.…
“The problem is a system of lies, reports of a good situation [when the reality is bad].
“This rot comes from the top down.”
Among the vultures circling is Putin crony Ramzan Kadyrov, head of Chechnya, who is seen as eyeing Shoigu’s job or a senior war commander’s role.
A father of 14 with three polygamous wives, Putin yesterday promoted him to Colonel-General in the national guard.
The move was apparently a 46th birthday present.
“The president personally congratulated me,” he boasted, calling himself a loyal Putin “foot soldier”.
“I give my word I will honour this trust.
“This is an advance for me.”
A picture from earlier in the war shows him in Shoigu’s office advising him how to carry out the war.
He evidently believes Putin is now listening to him and other war strategy critics and Kremlin kudos by personally recruiting tens of thousands of "volunteers" to fight in Putin's war.
“We will do everything to quickly finish the special operation,” he vowed.
“There is no war without casualties. This is war.
“What are men born for….?”
