Free Republic

Officials in three of the five Russian regions bordering Ukraine have been accused of embezzling funds for border defenses. -snip- The border fortification embezzlement cases seem in part to be aimed at quelling anger among Russians in the border regions over Moscow’s failure to protect them from Ukrainian attacks, especially after Ukrainian forces occupied part of the Kursk region. The charges imply that the border with Ukraine would have been better protected had local officials not stolen the money for the defenses, claims that also deflect blame from the Kremlin. The legal actions attracted attention this month when Russia’s transportation...

Putin's summer offensive is stalling as Ukraine puts up a heroic defense leaving Russia resorting to teens to fill the ranks. Despite Putin’s promises, Russian 18-year-olds are being press ganged into the army straight out of school and sent into the meatgrinder on Ukraine’s battlefields. The Russian despot has made repeated promises to his people that no 18-year-olds will be called up to serve but evidence is emerging that at least 245 teens have been killed in Ukraine in the last couple of years. New government rules mean those fresh out of school can bypass military service and instead sign...

Moscow has reportedly struck a deal with New Delhi to bring in up to one million Indian workers to help ease manpower problems as the war in Ukraine continues. Russia has been compelled to bring in one million Indian workers to avert a complete breakdown of its workforce. Ever since the launch of the comprehensive war in Ukraine in February 2022, countless working-age Russians have been summoned for military service. The armed forces are facing tremendous strain to locate fresh recruits for deployment to the battlefront as replacements for those who have been killed or wounded. Russia has endured massive...

Russia's navy has been forced to cancel its annual flagship event in St Petersburg, in a humiliating blow for Vladimir Putin. Navy Day is a major national holiday and is held on the last Sunday of July, celebrated by the public and military alike. The event is used by the Kremlin to show off its latests ships and technology, as it attempts to project its naval power to the watching world. As the maritime capital of Russia, St Petersburg holds a Main Naval Parade along the River Neva, which is normally attended by the Russian president. Usually ships from the...

The Russian navy plays a crucial role in Moscow's conflict, but it has suffered significant losses since the war began in February 2022, with approximately half of the Black Sea Fleet damaged or destroyed by Ukrainian maritime drones and long-range anti-ship missiles. Russian President Vladimir Putin's prized Black Sea Fleet was nowhere to be seen to thwart heavy bombing by Ukrainian drones Wednesday night amid Moscow's largest naval games this year, which comes as a warning to the West. Putin ordered the 'July Storm' drills, which involve more than 150 combat ships, 120 aircraft, and 15,000-plus military personnel. Footage shows...