[pydry]

>Maybe, but one of the issues Putin faces is that his subordinates are apparently afraid to tell him the truth

I've heard this repeated many times but:

A) most of the evidence comes mostly from western propaganda organs saying that it's happening.

B) other evidence is circumstantial at best and really reaching at times (e.g. pictures of putin sitting at the end of a long table)

C) it's a pretty standard kind of disinfo tactic to try and say this kind of thing to undermine troop morale.

D) it will ultimately not be disprovable.

Which is not to say it's definitely not true, but every time I hear it repeated I wince a little.