Vladimir Putin is likely looking for a fall guy to blame for the equipment and technological struggles his troops are facing in Ukraine, according to a think-tank.
In a cabinet meeting, Mr Putin publicly put down his deputy prime minister Denis Manturov for delays issuing state orders to the aviation industry.
The Russian president directed the deputy prime minister not to “play the fool” as he instructed him to “complete the task within a month”.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dubbed it “normal workflow” for the cabinet, but it signifies cracks in the Russian leadership over how the war effort is being conducted.
Meanwhile, Russia‘s defence ministry today said that its forces had taken control of the Ukrainian salt-mining town of Soledar on Thursday, according to state media reports.
It added that Russia‘s capture of the town would allow its troops to cut off Ukrainian forces from the nearby, much larger town of Bakhmut.
Reuters was not able to independently verify Russia‘s claim.
However, Ukraine said on Friday its forces were still holding out in the eastern salt mining town of Soledar after a “hot” night of fighting.
