Intense Criticism from Russian Military Bloggers Amidst Rising War Losses

Military Wives Push Back Against Kremlin Policies

The Ukraine war has seen heavy losses for Russia, which are now being openly criticized by even pro-Kremlin military bloggers. The conflict, which began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has resulted in significant losses of personnel and military equipment. According to the open source intelligence website Oryx, by June 2024, Russia had lost over 16,000 military vehicles and 3,000 battle tanks. These losses have been attributed not just to the fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces but also to tactical errors made by Russian commanders.

The Kremlin's strategy has come under fire as social media posts by Russian military bloggers highlight the ease with which Ukrainian forces have been able to target long Russian convoys. A video shared by an Estonian military blogger using the pseudonym 'WarTranslated' captured Ukrainian drones obliterating a Russian military convoy near Sudja. The video purportedly shows the convoy being attacked by Ukrainian brigades using kamikaze drones, leading to widespread criticism from pro-Kremlin bloggers about the inefficiency and repetition of past mistakes by Russian commanders.

Further compounding Russia's problems, the Kremlin has faced domestic unrest. Recently, the Russian Ministry of Justice labeled the 'Way Home' (Put Domói) movement as foreign agents. This group comprises women and mothers of soldiers mobilized to the front lines, protesting for their loved ones' return. The label permits the Kremlin to restrict their activities, branding them as spreaders of 'inaccurate information.' However, despite threats from authorities, these women have continued to advocate for an end to the endless deployment of Russian troops in Ukraine, a policy that has kept soldiers on the front lines indefinitely.

These domestic protests signify a rift within Russian society and its military, exacerbated by the heavy losses and drawn-out conflict. President Vladimir Putin’s first forced mobilization in September 2022 drafted 300,000 soldiers, but ongoing battles and unresolved service terms have left many families in anguish. The lack of a formal demobilization decree has only fueled their frustration and determination.

Meanwhile, in a different but equally tense conflict, an escalation in cross-border strikes occurred between Hezbollah and the Israeli army. Hezbollah's missile and drone attacks have resulted in fires and casualties in Israeli settlements such as Nahariya and Katzrin in the Golan Heights. In response, the Israeli army conducted intensive raids on different regions in Lebanon. The Israeli military also conducted readiness exercises to simulate expanded war scenarios on the northern front, indicating preparations for a potentially larger conflict with Hezbollah.

Together, these events paint a grim picture of ongoing and escalating conflicts, highlighting the immense human and material tolls, the strategic missteps, and the growing domestic and international unrest.