Russian setbacks in Ukraine have resulted in increasing internal criticism toward the conduct of the war, with many directing their discontent at a key Putin ally — Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
In recent months, usually muted criticism towards the Russian Ministry of Defense started to take place across Russian state and social media before escalating into criticism of Shoigu, 67, specifically. The loudest and fiercest criticism has come from independent nationalist figures who take issue not with the war itself but rather the conduct of it, which they feel is too reserved.
This sentiment was echoed by state TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov, who runs a pro-Kremlin talk show that heavily supports the war. Perhaps Shoigu's most prominent and fervent critic in Russia is Igor"Strelkov" Girkin. The ultranationalist and former Russian military intelligence officer was a main player in the war in the Donbas region, which he started by leading a group of Russian-Ukrainian militants to capture the Donetsk city of Sloviansk on April 12, 2014. While criticizing the entire conduct of the war almost since the very beginning, Girkin has particularly focused his ire on Shoigu.
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