Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Mikhail Misinzev as Deputy Minister of Defense. Misinzev was instrumental in the siege of the southern port city of Mariupol, which fell in Russia in May. A fake referendum on definitive affiliation with Russia is now being held in the area.
In the Russian military operation against Mariupol, thousands of civilians were killed and much of the city was destroyed. He earned Misinzev the nickname “Slayer of Mariupol”.
He replaces the fired Dmitri Bulgakov. He had been active as Deputy Minister of Defense for many years. No official reason has been given for his departure, but he is believed to have been criticized by Putin’s advisers. They cannot bear the defeats they suffered during the war.
According to an official statement, Bulgakov will receive another post, but it is not clear what the position is. Misinzev, as Deputy Minister, will be responsible for the logistical operations of the Russian army.
Residents would be forced to vote in bogus referendums
Meanwhile, the bogus referendums in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine will continue. Polling stations were opened for the second consecutive day in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
The Ukrainian government and its Western allies see these plebiscites as a farce whose outcome is already certain. They don’t recognize the result.
In areas where it is possible to vote, many residents have fled and fighting is still going on. The Russian invasion drove many Ukrainians out of those areas. There are almost only Ukrainians who agree with Russia and ethnic Russians. They are willing to let their residential area become Russian territory.
On social media, video recordings are circulating in which gunmen seem to force people to cast their vote. Kiev says employees of election commissions along with armed Russian soldiers visit people’s homes to collect ballot papers. Voting lasts until Tuesday.
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