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Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, is currently the weakest link in the complex chain of command for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. For reasons that are difficult to fathom, Russian President Vladimir Putin must have decided at some point that the Ukrainians would never make the mistake of attacking Russian territory — territory that the Kremlin seems to consider sacred and inviolable and defends with weapons and nuclear baggage. The Constitution itself — or the way Putin interprets the text.
It is common sense for Ukraine’s defense to try to attack Russian territory whenever it gets the chance – experts agree that attack is the best defense. Putin’s response is a little pathetic – as if he believes his “right” to invade Ukraine does not come with the same “right” to those who are attacked in the first place.
Now Vyacheslav Gladkov must deal with the possibility of Ukrainians breaking into his region and consider protecting the citizens under his direct protection. Stopping half-measures and avoiding beautiful words about the old heroism that has captured the Russian imagination since the Nazi troops were intercepted on the outskirts of Volvograd (formerly Stalingrad), Gladkov tried to decree a state of emergency. “The situation in the Belgorod region remains extremely difficult and tense. Therefore, we have decided to declare a regional state of emergency for the entire Belgorod region… and subsequently call on the government to declare a federal state of emergency.”
As far as we know, the government has not taken any such action, choosing instead to continue a war of words…! According to the Kremlin, the Ukrainians have been thrown into disarray – at least those who survived, of whom nearly 1,500 did not – leaving behind dozens of tanks. According to Ukraine, its troops still control the Russian territory they attacked about a week ago and do not intend to leave unless there is a good reason. As the world quickly realized in 2022, both sides are potential liars and no one knows exactly what will happen there. But one thing seems clear: if Vyacheslav Gladkov insists on conveying to the world that Russia’s blow to Kursk was unexpectedly severe, he may become a victim of so-called “friendly fire.”
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