Vladimir Putin angrily ordered Russian security forces on Tuesday to redouble their efforts to root out traitors and spies trying to undermine his regime.
Speaking in a 5-minute video message To mark Security Services Day, a stern-faced Putin told operatives they needed to do a better job in one of his clearest public admissions that the invasion of Ukraine – now 10 months old – has not been smooth sailing.
“Now counter-intelligence agencies, including military intelligence, are required to be calm and concentrate their forces,” Putin said. “It is necessary to take drastic measures against the actions of foreign special services, to immediately identify traitors, spies and saboteurs.”
In an unwelcome break from official statements that the “special military operation” was going according to plan, Putin acknowledged that the situation was “difficult” in the four regions of Ukraine illegally annexed by Russia in fake referendums.
“The situation in Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions is extremely difficult,” he said.
Putin, a KGB veteran, praised the security forces deployed in the annexed territories, saying “the people living there, the citizens of Russia, count on you to protect them.”
“Your duty is to do everything necessary to ensure their safety, to protect their rights and freedoms,” added the powerful Kremlin spokesman.
Putin’s speech was reportedly poorly received by Russian security officials Post to the Telegram channel of the yellow folderit is said to be run by former Russian witches.
“The congratulatory message was interpreted as a rebuke to the security agencies for their ineffectiveness,” the post said.
“The heads of the FSB, FSO (Federal Security Service) and the Security Council did not like Putin’s ‘congratulations,'” the anonymous author added. “In fact, everyone believes that they are working with complete loyalty, and in return they will be reprimanded, so sabotage is not far away.”
Putin later held a ceremony in the Kremlin to present awards to Moscow-appointed leaders of the four annexed regions of Ukraine.
“Our country has often faced difficulties and defended its sovereignty,” Putin said. “Now Russia is facing such a problem again. “Soldiers, officers and volunteers are setting great examples of courage and self-denial at the front.”
As Putin grumbled about the “extremely difficult” situation in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the hard-fought city of Bakhmut, which Russia has long tried and failed to capture. , sent a message home.
The Ukrainian leader appeared in a video handing out medals to soldiers who fought back Russian attacks in some of the fiercest battles of the war in recent weeks.
The city, 380 miles east of Kiev, remains in Ukrainian hands, thwarting Moscow’s goal of seizing all of Ukraine’s Donbas region.
Russia’s ground offensive, which began on February 24, has weakened in recent months. Fierce fighting continues between the annexed regions – Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia.
The capture of Bakhmut, based in Donetsk, would disrupt Ukrainian supply lines and open the way for Russian forces to advance on Ukrainian strongholds in the region.
With post wires
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