The Latest Breaking News from Sergei Shoigu

Vladimir Putin is increasingly isolated in Russia and abroad. Does he have an exit strategy?

One of Vladimir Putin’s oft-quoted maxims is that “sometimes it is necessary to be lonely to prove you are right”. As his ill-fated invasion of Ukraine drags on, he seems to be heeding his own advice.

The Conversation · Oct 16, 2022

Vladimir Putin's ambitious defence chief Sergei Shoigu was once the 'heir apparent'. Ukraine's war could bring him down

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was once among Vladimir Putin's most trusted advisers but, as his military campaign in Ukraine falters, there may be a target on his back.

ABC News · Oct 14, 2022

How likely is it that Russia will launch a nuclear attack?

Vladimir Putin placed the Kremlin’s strategic nuclear weapons forces on ‘high alert’ at the start of the conflict and has continued his sabre-rattling ever since

The Independent UK · Oct 13, 2022

Russian elites ramp up criticism amid Moscow's setbacks in Ukraine

A growing list of failings and military defeats in Ukraine have spawned angry outbursts from members of the Russian elite – including lawmakers, media figures and at least one former general – who generally still support Vladimir Putin's "special military operation" but are now actively blaming army chiefs for a…

France 24 · Oct 6, 2022

Top Vladimir Putin general rips into military chiefs as Russia descends into infighting

General Andrei Kartapolov has lambasted military chiefs in Moscow over their performance in the war in Ukraine and called for an end to "lies" being perpetrated by the Kremlin

Daily Mirror · Oct 6, 2022

Putin's defence minister should consider suicide, Russian-installed official says

A Russian-installed official in Ukraine on Thursday suggested President Vladimir Putin's defence minister should consider killing himself due to the shame of the defeats in the Ukraine war, an astonishing public insult to Russia's top brass.

Reuters · Oct 6, 2022

More Russians flee than join Putin’s army after call-up for war

Far more Russians have fled abroad than have enlisted in the military since President Vladimir Putin announced a mobilization to bolster his faltering invasion of Ukraine.

Tribune News Service · Oct 4, 2022

Russia says it called-up more than 200,000 troops for Ukraine war

Moscow’s announcement comes as Ukraine captured more territory

The Independent UK · Oct 4, 2022

Russia says over 200,000 drafted into army since Putin's decree

Over 200,000 people have already been drafted into Russia's armed forces since President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilisation two weeks ago, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday.

Reuters · Oct 4, 2022

Russian annexation of Ukrainian regions will ‘exacerbate’ rights violations, UN warns

Russia's recent annexation of four Ukrainian regions will exacerbate human rights violations, the UN rights office said Tuesday, as it outlined the "unspeakable suffering and devastation" inflicted on Ukrainians. Moscow's defence ministry acknowledged serious territorial losses for Russian forces in the southern region of Kherson. Read about the day's events…

France 24 · Oct 4, 2022