We’ve all known for quite a while that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has devolved into an unwinnable mess…a boondoggle on a global scale.
But Vladimir Putin needs to put on a brave face. He needs to continue to look strong, particularly as his health continues to deteriorate.
And so, in a meeting with some of his closest advisors, Putin lost his cool.
After months of setbacks on the battlefield in Ukraine, Russia’s Vladimir Putin is apparently now left to demonstrate his toughness by getting into dust-ups with his own subordinates.
The Russian leader appeared to briefly lose it on Wednesday while meeting with government officials. The breaking point came when Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov publicly corrected Putin after he complained that some enterprises had not yet secured contracts for the construction of new aircraft this year—a formidable task given that the country has been cut off from many Western imports crucial to construction.
Footage from the meeting shows Manturov quickly shot back that “investment projects” were underway, but Putin cut him off to gripe that it’s “taking too long.”
The Russian tyrant was furious.
“There are no orders even for 2023 at some enterprises,” he said—only to be corrected yet again when Manturov told him “all the enterprises” have orders for the year and “the Defense Ministry confirmed the number.”
And it got worse:
After the Trade and Industry Minister corrected him a third time, the Russian president finally flipped out.
“Let’s finish this, what’s the point of sparring here with you? The directors told me [there are no contracts]. Really, why are you playing the fool?” he scolded Manturov, demanding he get the job in a month and “no later.”
Putin’s frustration will soon be multiplied again, as Ukraine prepares to begin using USA-delivered Patriot missile systems against the invading horde of Kremlin fighters.
