Ex-Russian General Rates Entire Russian Intelligence Community Poorly for Ukraine Invasion

A former commander of Russia's ground forces delivered a rare, blunt critique of the Russian military and intelligence performance during the early stages of the war in Ukraine.

Colonel General Vladimir Chirkin, who led Russia's ground forces from 2012 to 2013, stated that Moscow was "once again unprepared" for conflict when it launched its full-scale invasion in early 2022. He claimed that Russian intelligence misinformed the Kremlin regarding Ukrainian political attitudes, contributing to strategic errors.

Speaking to Russian radio outlet RBC on November 27, Chirkin reflected on the initial optimism within Russia, recalling how officials predicted the war would conclude in just a few days. "It didn't turn out that way," he said, adding, "I would give our entire Russian intelligence community a failing grade."

The general also suggested that Russian leadership had significantly overestimated support for pro-Russian governance in Ukraine. "We were misled to think 70% of Ukrainians would support us. The reality was the opposite: 30% for us, 70% against," he explained. He described the early weeks of the invasion as a harsh lesson for Russian forces.

Chirkin criticized the Russian military's command culture, citing what he called the "Tbilisi syndrome," where troops hesitate to make tactical decisions without explicit orders from superiors. He also noted a recurring pattern of Moscow underestimating opponents and overestimating its own capabilities.

The general's comments have drawn attention in Ukraine, aligning with assessments from Ukrainian and Western analysts who observed that Russia struggled to capture the Kyiv region due to logistical failures, disorganized troop movements, and a lack of air superiority.

Chirkin's frankness surprised RBC interviewer Yuri Tamantsev, given Russia's strict laws against sharing "false information" about the war, which can result in severe penalties.

While Chirkin criticized intelligence and operational preparedness, he did not publicly challenge the Kremlin's rationale for invading Ukraine. He also discussed how Russian military tactics have evolved and what might be required for Moscow to achieve its objectives.

Chirkin's own military career ended controversially when he was removed from command in 2013 over bribery charges, later convicted but eventually reinstated to his rank. His comments mark a rare instance of high-ranking Russian officials openly acknowledging serious miscalculations in the Ukraine war.

Author: Chloe Ramirez