intelligence
UK: Girkin arrest enrages military bloggers
Igor Girkin is seen as a supporter of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, but he also criticized Russia’s conduct of the war. photo
© Alexander Zemlianichenko/POOL AP/dpa
Ex-intelligence officer Igor Girkin was recently arrested in Moscow. He is accused of extremism. The British secret service now suspects trouble among the military bloggers.
The arrest of the Russian pro-war advocate According to British estimates, Igor Girkin is likely to cause anger among other military bloggers as well as in parts of the Russian military.
The former intelligence officer is widely regarded in these spheres as an astute military analyst and patriot, according to the Defense Ministry’s intelligence update in London on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Girkin’s arrest could therefore primarily be due to his direct criticism of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin: Girkin had long been a critic of the Russian Defense Ministry’s warfare, the British wrote. In recent days, however, his comments have turned into direct criticism of Putin and his time in power.
Although Girkin is not an ally of the Wagner troupe, he may have been prepared to push the limits of public criticism related to Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin’s unsuccessful mutiny, sources said. The taboo on undisguised criticism of Putin’s leadership has been significantly weakened.
The ultra-nationalist Girkin, known by the alias Igor Strelkov, had previously been arrested on allegations of extremism. The 52-year-old had called for more decisive action against Ukraine in the Russian war of aggression. Although he is considered a staunch supporter of war, he increasingly criticized Russia’s military leadership, accusing it of incompetence and corruption. Most recently, his allegations were increasingly directed against Putin, whom he accused of inaction.