Russian Military Bloggers Criticize Army Openly; Kremlin Allows It

In Russia, military bloggers such as "Fighterbomber" and "Romanov" are openly criticizing the army and military leadership on Telegram and Instagram, discussing mismanagement, tactical errors, and corruption. The front in the Ukraine war has barely moved, but online debates about the war's progress are surprisingly lively. Millions of Russians participate in these discussions, often with a sharpness that would lead to investigations elsewhere. The key question is why the Kremlin permits this criticism and what it reveals about the functioning of Russian public opinion during wartime. While state TV experts remain loyal to the Kremlin line, social networks host a more diverse debate landscape.