UK intelligence: Kremlin cancels annual Russian International Army Games

Last week, Russian media reported that the annual Russian International Army Games will not take place in 2023. Pitched as the "War Olympics", the games have symbolized Russia's attempt to re-establish the military at the heart of popular culture. The festival-like event is particularly known for the Tank Biathlon.

Caliber.Az reports referring to the Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine, which is published by the UK Defence Ministry on April 28.

"Russia has likely cancelled the games mainly because it is concerned the event would be seen as frivolous in wartime. Russian nationalist commentators, including former intelligence officer Igor Girkin, fiercely criticized the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) for going ahead with the 2022 iteration," the report added.

There is also a realistic possibility that due to losses in Ukraine, the Russian MoD is concerned a shortage of tanks, tank crews and other skilled personnel will risk the Russian teams' usual domination of the medals table.