The Kremlin has ordered the Russian military to step up its offensive in Ukraine “from all directions” after suffering heavy losses.
- Russian civilians are beginning to oppose Vladimir Putin’s Ukrainian war
- Thousands of people are protesting in the streets across the country
- The Kremlin has refused to confirm whether it has suffered any casualties in the conflict
- Famous Russian celebrities have announced that they oppose the current war
The Kremlin last night ordered its military to step up Ukraine an offensive “from all directions” – as ordinary Russians began to express their horror at the war being waged on their behalf.
In an authoritarian state that has little real opposition, he suggests Vladimir Putin loses the support of his people.
Protests were staged in the streets and on social media as fears grew that Putin’s war was going badly – and is likely to get worse.
Moscow has refused to acknowledge that it suffered casualties during its invasion of Ukraine, but photos showing burnt-out armored vehicles and dead soldiers – pictured here outside the city of Kharkov – suggest the Russians are facing an unexpected level of opposition.
In Kiev, pictured, the population and the military are preparing for the offensive
Citizens in Moscow protested the war, risking a backlash from Russian security forces
Videos and photos from the front line around Kiev show that Russia is suffering serious casualties, despite Moscow’s silence about any military losses.
Siberian student Daria Likova, 18, wrote: “Putin’s peaceful demilitarization is an international war crime. I am in close contact with my relatives as a victim. Their houses are shaking from explosions. They cannot sleep, eat or simply exist in peace. Everyone is scared.
Many celebrities in Moscow have spoken out strongly against the war. The author Alexander Tsipkin warned: “This is a mistake that could lead to a complete catastrophe. Recognition of the independence of the disputed territories is one. The bombing is different.
Putin’s “godmother” Ksenia Sobchak – a TV star and former presidential candidate who has known the Kremlin leader since childhood – said: “Now we are all trapped in this situation. No way out. We Russians will struggle with the consequences of today for many years to come.
TV presenter Leonid Parfenov added: “This is not a terrible ending, this is an endless horror.”
Ekaterina Solonitskaya, the ex-wife of Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov, said: “Not an inch of annexed land costs a person’s life.”
Russia’s powerful state media responded to critics by increasing their propaganda doses, with “news bulletins” lined up warning protesters and dissidents that they could commit “betrayal.”
The invasion has been criticized around the world, with anti-war protests, including in front of the Russian embassy in Dublin – which has been painted red
Artists and writers who have anti-Russian views and oppose the “special military operation”, calling it an aggressive war, could be deprived of state awards and honorary titles, a government source said.
There were plenty of young people around Moscow’s Red Square yesterday who were ready to criticize the Russian leader.
Kristina Bikova, 23, said: “To attack Ukraine without warning. This is disgusting. I don’t know anything about Ukraine, but I don’t support Putin – he shouldn’t have started a military conflict.
Sanctions in the West were also a concern for the 35-year-old doctor named Sofia.
She said: “Putin has gone too far and provoked the West. Now everything will change. I canceled my vacation in the UK, no flights. My friend can’t pay money from her bank account in London to Moscow because the bank is sanctioned.
Computer salesman Artyom, 39, added: “We will not be able to afford Western brands, because even if they are not sanctioned, the ruble has fallen.”
But former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the sanctions were a sign of the West’s helplessness in the conflict and hinted at severing diplomatic relations, saying it was time to “lock embassies with a padlock”.
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