Putin increasingly interferes in Ukraine’s war strategy, and the deputy defense minister escalates the situation | Ukraine and Russia war

Read all about the war in Ukraine in our file.

The Ukrainian army counterattacked to retake the largely Russian-occupied city and region of Kherson. According to the New York Times, a withdrawal over the Dnieper could save the manpower and equipment of the Russian army, but Putin does not want to hear about this.

Kherson is the only major city captured by Russian forces west of the Dnieper River. The withdrawal would likely mean a loss of face for Putin and a major success for Ukraine.

According to US intelligence, Putin told his commanders that he was in the process of finalizing the battle plan for Ukraine. Officials in Washington say Putin’s increased interference is raising tensions between him and Russia’s military leaders. In addition, the morale of the troops in Kherson could have been damaged because they were not allowed to retreat under any circumstances.

Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov was forced to retire seven months after the start of the invasion of Ukraine, it was announced Friday. Officially, it seems that Bulgakov will be deployed “on another site”. His successor is General Mikhail Mizintsev. This soldier is responsible for the violent bombing of the port of Mariupol in southern Ukraine. In the UK it is Mizintsev, also known as Butcher Mariupolin the sanctions list.

On Wednesday, Putin announced a partial mobilization, the first since World War II. The Defense Ministry wants to call up about 300,000 reservists with military experience for what Russia calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine. Putin hopes to regain the initiative.

Recently, the Ukrainian army recaptured a large area in the Northeast. Referendums are also being held in the occupied territories on a possible affiliation with Russia. Western observers speak of “sham referendums”, the results of which have already been determined.