Igor Girkin arrested in Russia
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Igor Girkin also known as Strelkov was recently arrested in Russia. He is wanted for the shooting down of passenger plane MH17 over Ukraine in July 2014. He has been sentenced in the Netherlands to life imprisonment for his role in the shooting that killed 298 people. Read my blog about this. The reason for his arrest in Russia is completely different; he has criticised Russia’s poor warfare in Ukraine in his blog. On Tuesday, he also made harsh criticism of President Putin. Igor Girkin is one of several “military bloggers” in Russia. He does not criticise the fact that Russia went to war against Ukraine, but that the military is poorly organised and the leadership has been weak. Girkin has said several times that Russia should use even tougher measures in the war.
Igor Girkin, the man behind the annexation of Crimea and Donbas.
Igor Girkin has long been among Putin’s supporters. He was very central when Crimea was annexed in 2014. He was just as central when he was the architect himself when unrest broke out in Donbas that same year. Unrest that Russia was behind. He and his supporters also attempted something similar in Kharkiv, but failed completely due to opposition from the population.
Through his role in Ukraine, as well as his central role in the downing of passenger plane MH17, Girkin is perhaps Europe’s most wanted terrorist.
Putin threatened from several sides
The arrest joins a series of arrests of people who are a direct danger to Putin’s power. Within Russia, Girkin has many followers. He is a well-known military blogger who is followed by many. He is an ultra nationalist with a clear dream of restoring the borders from the Soviet Union.
Putin’s regime has a long tradition of gagging political opponents. Previously, it affected journalists and politicians who stood for something completely different. His arrest, together with the conflict with the Wagner group, reveals a regime that is also being chastised by ultra-nationalist forces. Previously loyal supporters, now criticize more often. In the case of Igor Girkin, the criticism against Putin is too dangerous.
Sources:
Igor Girkin: Russian blogger who called Putin a ‘lowlife’ arrested | CNN
Russia detains ex-separatist commander Igor Girkin | Russia-Ukraine war News | Al Jazeera