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The United States and its European allies have described Putin’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine as an imperial-style seizure of land.
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One of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest allies has said that Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine has not developed as quickly as the Kremlin wanted. This is the strongest public acknowledgment so far from Moscow that things are not going according to plan, Reuters reported.
The Chief of the National Guard Viktor Zolotov spoke yesterday during a church service led by Patriarch Kiril. He blamed the slower-than-expected progress on “far-right Ukrainian forces” behind civilians, an accusation repeatedly repeated by officials in Russia.
Zolotov’s remarks contradict a statement made Friday by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who told Putin that “everything is going according to plan.”
“I would like to say that yes, not everything is going as fast as we would like,” said Zolotov, who was in charge of Putin’s personal security, and his words were published on the National Guard’s website. “But we are moving towards our goal step by step and the victory will be ours,” Zolotov added.
The United States and its European allies have described Putin’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine as an imperial-style seizure of land, which has so far been unsatisfactory because Moscow has underestimated Ukraine’s resistance and Western determination to punish Russia, the agency said.
The National Guard, now headed by Zolotov, is under the direct control of the president and its forces are also stationed in Ukraine. The guard is a type of internal military structure that includes the police to fight riots and other forces, according to Reuters.
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