The growing popularity of Prigozhin and Kadyrov in Russian mass media is a threat to the Kremlin dictator.
Recently, dissatisfaction with the failed war in Ukraine has grown among Russian President Vladimir Putin's entourage, which has caused criticism of the military command by the so-called hawks. In order to balance the distribution of forces and reduce risks for himself, the Kremlin dictator is trying to restore the lost authority of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who reports to him personally. Analysts of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) write about it.
In their opinion, Putin is trying to turn Shoigu's face in the Russian information space in order to reduce the growing influence of Russian pro-war security forces. They include people from Putin's inner circle who are stationing their own combat units in Ukraine. In particular, it is about the head of the PMC “Wagner” Evgeny Prigozhin and the head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov.
ISW experts note that recently Shoigu began to appear more often in the media, which was not observed in the summer. In particular, they note that Putin himself could announce completion of mobilization, without arranging a special meeting with Shoigu for this purpose, but publicity was needed precisely in order to once again demonstrate the importance of the minister.
A series of calls by Shoigu to his Western colleagues also pursued similar goals, in conversations with which he accused Ukraine of preparing a “dirty bomb”. These high-profile appearances distinguish Shoigu and the Russian top military leadership from the security forces, who do not have such rank or authority, despite their popularity in the Russian information space. Shoigu made very few public appearances during the spring and summer, as his media presence is entirely dependent on Putin's approval. In contrast, the security forces' competitors control their own Telegram channels and communicate freely with the media, which gives them the opportunity to openly criticize the minister and his subordinates for the failures in Ukraine.
Read also: Shoigu's “dirty bomb” is a common informational provocation for Ukraine's allies – ISW
Earlier it was reported that Yevgeny Prigozhin is the only person from Putin's entourage who can openly report to him about the real state of affairs at the front.
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Information is increasingly appearing in the media that the head of the “Wagner” PMC is dissatisfied with the course of the war in Ukraine and advocates tougher steps on the part of the Kremlin. He is also supported by the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, who calls on Moscow to attack the “decision-making centers” in Kyiv. It is obvious that the situation on the Russian-Ukrainian front will largely determine the balance of power in the Russian government. About this in the article Vladimir Kravchenko “Three towers of the Kremlin: what is happening in Putin's entourage».
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