(BRIANSK, RUSSIA) – Recent Ukrainian military successes have triggered significant alarm within the Russian blogging community, leading many to question the current trajectory of the conflict and the decisions made by the Kremlin. Popular Russian commentators are reportedly asking why the war has returned to dozens of Russian regions, specifically following the successful destruction of two critical military industrial facilities.
Last night, Ukrainian forces targeted and demilitarised a unique microelectronics factory in Briansk and a chemical production centre in Toliati. The Briansk facility was essential for the production of microchips and semiconductors used in various Russian missiles, and its paralysis is expected to impact multiple secondary factories.
Observers have noted a significant shift in the military balance since 2022. While the Russian dictator originally claimed a goal of demilitarising Ukraine, the country has instead evolved into a global military hub. Ukraine is currently in the process of selling advanced drone technology to the United States and Saudi Arabia to assist in countering Iranian threats. This transition highlights the failure of the original Russian strategy.
Furthermore, the Institute for the Study of War has confirmed that for the first time since 2023, Russia is losing significant territory. Ukrainian forces have recently liberated 460 square kilometres, a feat achieved rapidly following the termination of Starlink access for Russian troops and the subsequent Kremlin decision to disable the Telegram messaging service.
The cessation of these communication tools has left Russian forces unable to coordinate movements or effectively target drones, contributing to the preservation of many lives. The decision by the Kremlin to switch off Telegram, which was central to military communication, appears to be a desperate attempt to suppress reports of misery, poverty, and significant losses on the frontline. The Russian dictator reportedly fears the internal criticism and potential for protest that these uncensored channels facilitate. This move has caused friction within the toxic Russian blogging sphere, where influencers are now blaming one another for the ban.
While the Russian Ministry of Defence continues to claim that it is near victory, the reality on the ground suggests otherwise. The strikes in Toliati, a hub for military chemical production, resulted in massive explosions, reducing the capacity of the Russian military industrial complex. These actions are framed as a necessary step toward ending the war by dismantling Russia’s ability to produce weaponry. Strategically, the Russian military has sacrificed hundreds of thousands of soldiers to occupy less than 2% of Ukrainian territory over the past two years, demonstrating a lack of significant progress.
The current situation suggests the Russian Federation is facing internal instability. Local regions are increasingly opposing the ongoing military operations as the consequences of the conflict reach their own doors. Ukrainian officials maintain that the only viable peace plan remains the complete defeat and demilitarisation of Russia.
Top three questions russian vloggers keep asking themselves and the kremlin: why did we deserve this (meaning war back on the russian territory); how did we get from demilitarizing Ukraine in 2022 to Ukraine selling weapons to the US and Saudi Arabia now; and why did they turn off Starlink and Telegram?
