Doubts arise among propagandists whether Putin can deliver war promises after Kherson

The US-based think-tank "Institute for the Study of War" (ISW) noted in its recent report on the Ukraine conflict from November 12 that Vladimir Putin is having a harder time appeasing his highly ideological pro-war supporters after his military’s inability to deliver his previously expressed maximalist goals of overthrowing the Ukrainian government.

The ISW pointed to direct criticism of the Kremlin voiced by the highest members of Russia’s propagandists, such as from pro-war Russian ideologist, Alexander Dugin, who openly criticized Putin – to whom he referred to as the autocrat—for failing to uphold Russian ideology by surrendering Kherson City and said that it was Russia’s responsibility to defend "Russian cities" such as Kherson, Belgorod, Kursk, Donetsk, and Simferopol.

The well-known political philosopher and analyst, who recently received a tragic boost to his fame in the West due to the assassination of his daughter, political activist Darya Dugina, went further with his criticism by referencing the study of "The Golden Bough" and stating that an autocrat, who fails to save his nation, has to face the fate of the heroine, the "king of the rains" who was killed because of his inability to provide rain to his people.

Dugin, according to the ISW, is also said to have relieved the commander of Russian Forces in Ukraine, Army General Sergey Surovikin, from any blame by saying that he was not responsible for the political decision to withdraw from Kherson City. He went on to say that the autocrat, Putin, cannot repair this deviation from ideology merely with public appearances, noting that "the authorities in Russia cannot surrender anything else" and that "the limit has been reached".

Powerful nationalist-leaning propagandists, such as TV host Vladimir Solovyov, famous for expressing aggressive war-centric statements on TV, are increasingly demanding that the Kremlin and higher military command fully commit to their goals in Ukraine, with the ISW reporting that Solovyov having even called for full mobilization and the firing of incompetent officials following the Russian surrender of Kherson City during his show’s air on national TV.

The new military report also notes some military bloggers implying that the Kremlin has betrayed Kherson City by "selling out", while others noted that the Kremlin has consistently surrendered its territories without asking the Russian people.

Wagner-affiliated social media channels are also turning on the Kremlin following the loss of Kherson Oblast, which may further elevate the influence of the siloviki faction, the vast branch of Russia’s state services that are permitted the use of force for fulfilling Moscow’s orders.