Photo: Getty images
It has been reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has sacked 8 of his top military generals in anger at the nation's slow progress in its invasion of Ukraine.
The information came from Ukrainian sources, including the head of Ukraine's security council Oleksiy Danilov.
Reports also indicate that Putin is angry at the Russian intelligence services, the FSB, for informing him that Ukraine would fall easily and that it was heavily influenced by neo-Nazis.
Danilov told news media:
"They had about 8 generals removed from their posts because they did not complete the task. Now new ones have been appointed. We clearly understand what is happening in the Russian Federation. I can say that they are desperate."
Andrei Soldatov, a security expert, told The Times:
"The problem is that it is too risky for superiors to tell Putin what he doesn't want to hear, so they tailor their information. The tailoring probably takes place somewhere between the rank of colonel and general in the FSB."
It is alleged that between 500 and 12,000 Russian troops have been killed since the war began, just over 2 weeks ago, thousands of civilians and Ukrainian military personnel are also believed to have been killed.
While many state that they believe the invasion is not going to plan, others have suggested that while there may have been stiffer resistance than expected, Russia is still making slow but steady progress across a nation which is extremely large with an enormous population off 44 million and a well-equipped large modern army.
Military observers suggest that the initial invasion is regrouping before assaulting major population centres, such as the capital Kiev, and that the Russian air force will play a much larger role in the coming days and weeks. If true, this would not bode well for Ukraine's military or the civilian population.
Ukraine has so far rejected the demands laid down by the Russian invaders, though peace talks are said to be continuing.
[Based on reporting by: MSN]
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