"Impeach the Traitor Putin"... Requests from Russian District Council Members Who Have Turned Their Backs

Russian President Vladimir Putin is delivering a speech at the main session of the 7th Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok, Russia, on the 7th (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Some elected officials in Russia have called for the impeachment of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to a recent report by The Washington Post (WP), members of the Smolninskoye District Council in Saint Petersburg submitted a resolution to the Russian State Duma requesting the impeachment of President Putin, stating that "President Putin's invasion of Ukraine has adversely affected Russia's security and its people."

These council members claimed that "President Putin committed treason by plunging the country into hardship." The resolution included details such as the large number of casualties following Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the weakening of the national economy, and the rapid eastward expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

WP noted that this is significant because it represents an open opposition to the war in Ukraine and criticism of the president within Russia. Until now, criticism of the government has been strictly suppressed in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

In fact, in March, when the war broke out, Russia passed a law imposing up to 15 years in prison for spreading false information about its military or actions that undermine government credibility. According to the Russian human rights monitoring group 'OVD-Info,' since the war began, 16,437 people have been arrested or detained in Russia for anti-war activities.

The four council members who signed the resolution were reportedly summoned by local police on charges of undermining government credibility. Currently, two have been investigated and released, and WP predicts that these officials will face at least fines.

Meanwhile, on the 9th (local time), according to major foreign news agencies including AFP, Ukraine has reclaimed parts of the northeastern city of Kharkiv Oblast that had been taken by Russia since the war began. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech that "Ukrainian forces have retaken about 30 villages in Kharkiv" and that "fighting will continue in the eastern Donbas and southern regions." He also added, "We plan to investigate crimes committed by Russia in the occupied territories."

The Russian side also acknowledged Ukraine's victory in the Kharkiv region. Vitaly Ganchev, the Russian-appointed governor of Kharkiv, told local media that "some villages have come under Ukrainian control." However, Russia plans to reinforce its troops in Kharkiv to retake the areas reclaimed by Ukraine.