A prominent pro-war Russian blogger has reportedly died by suicide, according to an article published by The Guardian.
Andrey Morozov, who went by the pseudonym 'Murz' on Telegram, was an ultra-nationalist commentator who fought alongside Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and participated in Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
Morozov's death follows outrage over a post in which he claimed that the Russian army lost 16,000 soldiers during the capture of the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka.
On Sunday, Morozov revealed to his 120,000 followers on Telegram that Russia had lost 16,000 personnel and 300 pieces of armor during its months-long capture of Avdiivka. The post drew heavy criticism from senior Russian propagandists, who accused the blogger of "slandering the Russian defense ministry."
Russia hides its war losses as well as the casualty toll from its invasion of Ukraine. Despite this, western officials believe the war has cost the country more than 315,000 dead and injured troops.
Avdiivka Falls
Avdiivka, which once had a population of 32,000, fell to Russia on Saturday, giving Vladimir Putin his biggest battlefield victory since Russian forces captured the city of Bakhmut in May 2023, reported The Guardian.
Morozov left a final message for his followers on Tuesday morning, announcing his suicide and attributing the decision over pressure by his superiors to delete the post detailing the number of casualties in Avdiivka. Several people close to the reporter confirmed his death, with some saying he shot himself.
Triggered in part by the rebellion by then-Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Kremlin cracked down immensely on voices such as Morozov. Morozov was once part of a loud group of ultra-nationalists who openly criticized Moscow over weaponry shortage and accused Russian military leadership of hiding the actual death toll among its forces.
What about Ukraine?
Ukraine has also suffered heavily during the defense of the city.
Citing Western officials, the New York Times revealed hundreds of Ukrainian troops may have been captured by Russian forces during Ukraine's retreat from the city.
Ukraine blames the fall of Avdiivka on the US failure to approve critical aid.
"We wouldn't [have lost] Avdiivka if we had all the artillery ammunition that we needed to defend it. Russia does not intend to pause or withdraw. ... Once Avdiivka is under their control, they undoubtedly will choose another city and begin to storm it," Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said.
Putin announced his troops will push further into Ukraine to build upon their success on the battlefield.
"As for the overall situation in Avdiivka, this is an absolute success, I congratulate you. It needs to be built on," Putin told his defense minister, Sergei Shoigu.
