Russia's withdrawal from Kherson fuels ideological split between pro-war figures and Putin - ISW

The retreat undermines confidence in Putin and his ability to deliver on his military promises. In particular, Russian ideologue and propagandist Alexander Dugin openly criticized Putin and called him an "autocrat" because of the withdrawal of the Russian army from Kherson. 

"Direct criticism of Putin in the pro-war community is almost unprecedented, and Dugin's loud and reckless attack on Putin may indicate a change among Russia's 'nationalist ideologues,'" the report says. 

Putin may have ordered some of his propagandists to suppress criticism of Russia's withdrawal from the city of Kherson, as many state television news programs have omitted or downplayed the impact of the withdrawal.

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