Plus, as I previously noted, Putin is still classing this as a “counter terrorism” operation withe FSB and security forces in charge, not the military.
Don’t expect a coordinated effective military response.
Putin has appointed Alexey Dyumin commander of the Northern direction of the "special military operation". Before that, he was president of Tula.
Dyumin is Putin's man, his former bodyguard.
Why did Putin appoint him to the Kursk direction? It's very simple: Putin doesn't trust any of his generals.
Dyumin's appointment indicates serious problems in the Russian army. And this is understandable - the system is built in such a way that only thieves, corrupt officials and sycophants rise to the top.
Putin built the system of governance so that the career ladder would be climbed by people who are controllable, low-initiative and not dangerous to him. They also attract such helpers.
I hope that Dyumin meets these criteria.…..