Dozens of mobilized soldiers staged a remarkable mutiny against Vladimir Putin in response to mounting discontent about the faltering invasion of Ukraine.
In footage shot within a military camp, a conscript’s suggestion that soldiers should overthrow their commanders is received with enthusiastic acclaim from his peers.
The unidentified reservist commented on the soldiers’ lack of respect for Putin and his leadership, and blasted an unnamed official for using coercion to recruit new members.
He made fun of a policy in his homeland, the Tuva republic in Siberia, that gave a ram to each household of mobilized individuals.
‘You offer our families, children, a filthy ram [sheep], and food,’ he observed with contempt, adding, ‘What is this?’
In his bold speech – for which he risked severe punishment in Putin’s Russia – the reservist said that his higher officers ‘threatened’ him and his fellow recruits when they were enlisted.
In his native Tuvan language, he added, “They warned us that they would lock us up if we did not migrate to Ukraine.”
“They would not provide assistance to our families; they would cancel all payments… Our teams do not have sufficient walkie-talkies… How do we plan to communicate?
In addition, he joined the chorus of foreground voices bemoaning the lack of proper equipment and gear.
In the vision, the reservist explained that his battalion was sent 3,200 miles away to fight for Putin without adequate walkie-talkies or socks.
These socks supplied to us are ineffective. We have already acquired adequate quantity.
He made fun of a foreign guitar issued by the military in lieu of effective weapons.
He declared to the enthusiasm of his fellow recruits, “They offer us an imported guitar.” “Will a guitar serve as a target on the battlefield?”
His outburst is all the more significant due to the fact that his region is also home to the widely criticized Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu, whom Putin has steadfastly refused to fire despite loud calls for his head over the failure of the military campaign.
Who will you command if there are no more like us?’ said the reserve soldier.
To whom will you address all of your speeches?
In the middle of applause from the crowd, he exclaimed, “You are no longer a source of authority in our eyes.” Possibly, we should all concur that you are worthless.
During the battle, Tuva, an underprivileged province, has sustained much more casualties than Moscow.
Putin’s law enforcement also brutally suppressed anti-war demonstrations in the region.
According to communications viewed on a Telegraph channel, the Tuvan conscript questioned the value of tolerating his leaders when they treated conscripts so brutally.
Putin announced at the end of September that 300,000 individuals with prior military experience or specialized skills will be conscripted to fight in Ukraine.
According to claims from Russian dissidents, those without military training or combat experience were being sent to the front lines to fight.
The Russian military is struggling to keep their personnel clothed, fed, and armed, as indicated by worries expressed by newly arrived frontline troops in Ukraine.
Frequently, conscripts are advised that they must purchase their own supplies, which drives up the cost of common items such as body armor, guns, and camping gear.
In Russia, the price of body armor has risen to about £1,115, while a backpack can cost up to £560 and thermal underwear has escalated to over £300.