Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on 26/6 that he had received information about a video circulating on Instagram, but that he and President Vladimir Putin would review the footage before commenting. The video, which has garnered over 12 million views, shows a man in military uniform adorned with numerous medals identifying himself as former Russian serviceman Alexander Lunin, who fought in the conflict with Ukraine. Lunin criticizes how Russian commanders treat soldiers.

He stated that thousands of Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine have been confined to pits for refusing to carry out "stupid and suicidal orders" or for refusing to pay commanders. Lunin urged President Putin to "speak the truth" about the treatment of Russian soldiers.

Alexander Lunin in a video posted on 25/6. *Screenshot*

In a second video, also posted on Instagram on 25/6, Lunin claimed soldiers were tortured before being murdered, adding that commanders then covered up the incidents by declaring the servicemen missing in action. He declared that if he was not soon granted a meeting with President Putin and allowed to speak alongside him on live television, the Russian military would "turn its weapons towards the Kremlin".

"I am simply relaying a message," Lunin stated, adding that high-ranking officials within the security sector and the Ministry of Defense had asked him to record the video about this statement. Lunin did not provide evidence for his allegations, nor did he name any individuals involved.

Instagram is banned in Russia and can only be accessed via a virtual private network (VPN). Independent Russian media outlets have verified Lunin's identity, stating he is a 39-year-old veteran who fought in the conflict with Ukraine and hails from Russia's Voronezh province. Lunin reportedly bore the surname Pustovalov before legally changing it in 2023. Reuters reported that most Russians had not heard of Lunin before the video was posted.

Russian servicemen prepare to attack a Ukrainian position in a photo posted on 31/3. *AP*

The Kremlin previously faced a mutiny led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private military group, in 6/2023. Prigozhin then led 25.000 Wagner fighters to seize the Southern Military District headquarters in Rostov-on-Don and sent a contingent towards Moscow to express dissatisfaction with Ministry of Defense leaders.

The mutiny concluded in less than 24 hours when Prigozhin agreed to withdraw his forces and relocate to Belarus, while Wagner fighters who did not participate in the uprising were allowed to sign contracts to serve the Russian Ministry of Defense. Two months later, Prigozhin died in a plane crash.

By Pham Giang (According to Reuters, Moscow Times)