Ukrainian President Zelensky is not being told the whole truth about the Russian offensive near Kharkiv – The Economist

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky feels that he is “not being told the whole truth” about the situation near Kharkiv and has been “shouting at his generals.”

This was reported by The Economist, citing a source within the Ukrainian government.

“Zelensky is kept in a ‘warm bath.’ We believe that the president should be focused on the situation on the ground, rather than mimicking Putin – a man whose life revolves around the papers brought to him by his aides,” said Denis Yaroslavsky, an officer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

According to the publication, many soldiers near Kharkiv are “outraged” that the Russian advance has managed to progress so far and so quickly. Some military personnel criticize the delays in Western aid reaching the front lines. Others do not rule out that incompetence or even betrayal played a significant role in the Russian advance in the Kharkiv direction.

“Conspiracy theories are emerging that politicians in Kyiv or Washington are selling out Kharkiv in anticipation of an ugly peace agreement. Official Ukrainian narratives, which paint a rosy picture, do not help to calm nerves,” the publication states.

Earlier, The Economist reported that the Russians were probing whether they could partially encircle Kharkiv and exert pressure on the Ukrainian Armed Forces east of the Pecheneg Reservoir.