Shoigu Visited Crimea, Not Ukraine Frontline, And He Gets Savaged For False Claim

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's "visit" to Russian forward positions was geolocated 80 kilometers from the frontline in Ukraine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) disclosed.

Photo Insert: Shoigu claimed he made a "visit" to "forward Russian positions" in Ukraine to talk to military commanders and soldiers but Ukrainians belied his claim, saying it is winter in Ukraine and the places he visited have green grass and not snow.

Shoigu claimed he made a "visit" to "forward Russian positions" in Ukraine to talk to military commanders and soldiers but Ukrainians belied his claim, saying it is winter in Ukraine and the places he visited have green grass and not snow, Kyiv Independent also reported.

Alexandru Musteata, head of Moldova's Security Service, has told the TVR-Moldova television channel that Russia still aims to secure a land corridor through Ukraine to reach Transnistria, which hosts 1,500 Russian troops and a large arms depot. There is a very high risk that Russians would launch an offensive in Transnistria.

The White House has announced that it is closely monitoring Russian troops in Belarus, which Russian President Vladimir Putin visited on Monday.

The US is checking Russian military moves in Belarus and will continue to do so, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a briefing on Dec. 19. Russia and Belarus the said visit was about economic cooperation, not military operation.

Ukrainian intelligence has revealed that Putin postponed the Ukraine invasion date thrice. The triple delay came after Putin consulted with Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, and Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, Vadym Skibitsky, a deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, said.

Shoigu, who dons a general’s uniform, never served in the Russian Army, and is known better as Putin’s guide in the Siberian forests.

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