Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin (70) apparently wants to strengthen the will of his soldiers to go to war. So on Thursday he travels to his soldiers, who will soon be sent to the front. For the first time since the partial mobilization, the Russian president is visiting a training center for conscripted soldiers in the Ryazan region.
There he is very close to the people he sends to war. Russian state television shows Putin putting his hand on the gun himself.
The Kremlin chief equips himself with goggles and earmuffs and lies down on the dirty ground under a camouflage net. He then fires at a Dragunov-type automatic sniper rifle.
Kremlin boss hugs and wishes “Good luck”
The Kremlin chief demonstratively checks his recruits’ equipment, in person – and on camera. He then addresses his soldiers in the area about 200 kilometers southeast of Moscow.
After thousands of Russian soldiers were killed in the war in Ukraine, he wishes a soldier in front of the camera: “Good luck!” Then he pats the young man on the shoulder. The Kremlin boss hugs and talks to other soldiers. Putin is approachable, close to the people, almost friendly to the soldiers. It seems as if Putin is trying to polish up his tarnished image.
Massive criticism of equipment
Putin’s visit appears to be a response to massive criticism of enlisted soldiers’ equipment and preparation. It is said time and again that Putin is sending his reservists to Ukraine like cannon fodder. Many receive little or no training for their deployment.
Soldiers have to buy many things themselves for use at the front. Includes equipment not currently available in Russia. (EU)