Sergei Shoigu’s claim that Russian forces are slowing their offensive in Ukraine to protect civilians is deliberate misinformation as at least six Russian generals have been sacked for not advancing quickly enough, Britain’s Ministry of Defense said in an assessment on Friday morning.

Minister of Defense of Russia Sergey ShoiguPhoto: Vadym Savitsky / TASS / Profimedia

What British military intelligence says:

  • On August 24, 2022, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization that Russia had deliberately slowed the pace of its military campaign in Ukraine, citing the need to reduce civilian casualties.
  • This is almost certainly deliberate misinformation.
  • The Russian offensive was halted by a poor Russian army and fierce Ukrainian resistance. By order of Shoigu, the troops operating in Ukraine repeatedly missed the planned operational deadlines.
  • It is likely that Shoigu and President Putin have removed at least six generals from command positions for insufficient speed of advancement.
  • On the day Shoigu spoke, a Russian SS-26 Iskander short-range ballistic missile hit a train in the town of Chapline, killing at least two children.
  • This underscores Russia’s willingness to inflict collateral damage when it sees a military advantage in missile or artillery strikes.

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