Putin's tactless remarks stir controversy at veteran meeting

Vladimir Putin participated in a meeting with veterans of the war in Ukraine who had lost limbs on the front line. During the event, the Russian leader made several tactless comments that sparked mixed reactions. According to "The Moscow Times," the meeting resembled a surreal spectacle.

During the meeting, Putin joked with the veterans, saying: "Well, you are used to it, aren't you?! Despite serious injuries, the ambitions remain... So everything will be fine..." These words, meant to be comforting, were perceived as inappropriate and tactless. The veterans, despite their difficult situation, tried to keep their spirits up.

Putin also referred to the veterans' athletic achievements, comparing them to the hero Ilya Muromets.

"The hero Ilya Muromets probably wouldn't be able to bench press such a barbell weighing 330 pounds like one of these legless athletes," Putin said. These words brought smiles among those around him, but not everyone found them appropriate. As noted by "The Moscow Times," in their logic, people should not only give their life or at least a leg to the motherland but also enjoy such a life, missing a piece of themselves.

During a round table in the State Duma, Russia's Deputy Minister of Defense, Anna Tsivileva—who is privately the cousin of Russian President Vladimir Putin—revealed secret data on Russia's losses. "No fewer than 48,000 Russians participating in the war against Ukraine have gone missing without a trace," she informed.

In response, the Chairman of the Defense Committee of the State Duma, Andrey Kartapolov, admonished her: "Colleagues, I urge you not to let these numbers of missing appear anywhere. This information is very sensitive. When drafting the final documents, I also ask that these numbers are not mentioned anywhere," he emphasized.

Tsivileva quickly corrected herself, stating that she provided the number of reports, not the number of missing.