Moscow Professor Warns of Rising Social Tensions Without Victory Soon

A Moscow professor was recently heard saying that "social tensions" could increase in Russia if a victory in the war with Ukraine is not reached soon.

In a video posted to Twitter by Julia Davis, a reporter for the Daily Beast and creator of the Russian Media Monitor, Moscow State University professor Vitaly Tretyakov is seen discussing the ongoing war with Ukraine and said that some Russian citizens may soon ask, "Where is our victory?"

"Not everyone realizes the paradox of this situation, there is an enormous confidence in our victory, but in response there should be real achievements, when you're certain that we have to win, when you're certain that our pursuit is righteous," Tretyakov said in the video, according to a translation. "Social tensions could rise up, not because of the masses opposing the military operation, but because they might ask why isn't it more active. Where is our victory? Where is the advancement?"

The comments by Tretyakov came as Ukrainian armed forces continued to work to push Russian forces back and attempt to retake several regions, such as Kherson, that were previously held by the Russian military.

On Thursday, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted an update regarding the ongoing war to its Facebook page saying that "enemy troops continue to suffer...significant losses," despite Russia launching more than 10 missiles and 22 airstrikes.

On Friday, the Kyiv Post shared a photo on Twitter appearing to show a bridge near the region of Kupyansk, saying that it was destroyed by Ukrainian military forces.

Igor Girkin, a former Russian military leader gave an update about Ukraine's counteroffensive in several regions in a Telegram post, saying that "in the event that in the near future (a day or two) the Russian troops will not be able to go first into counterattacks, and then into a counteroffensive and will not restore communication by land between Kupyansk and Izyum, our troops in this area will have a very 'tight' prospect subsequently forced to leave the area, including the city of Izyum itself," according to an English translation.

In the video posted by Davis, Russian state TV host Evgeny Popov can be heard responding to Tretyakov's remarks, saying, "I'll respond to all the nervous ones at once, let's wait for the official statement from our Defense Ministry."

 Popov continued, "This special military operation is a difficult man's job. Our heroes are doing what they can. Nothing is ever simple. The frontline can move back and forth, what matters is how it ends."

Newsweek reached out to the Russian foreign ministry for comment.