Russian analyst denies rift with Putin

A Russian ultranationalist on Sunday walked back his sharp criticism of President Vladimir Putin after issuing a dark warning for the Kremlin decision to withdraw troops from Kherson.

Political analyst Alexander Dugin, who is a vigorous supporter of Russia’s invasion, in recent days had openly criticized Putin for failing to defend “Russian cities” such as Kherson, according to the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War.

The think tank quoted Dugin as saying Putin has a responsibility to preserve Russia or face the fate of “king of the rains.”

He is making a reference to “The Golden Bough” by Sir James Frazer, in which a king is killed for failing to provide rain during a drought.

“The authorities in Russia cannot surrender anything else ... the limit has been reached,” Dugin reportedly said.

But on Sunday, Dugin was pledging support for Putin on Telegram.

“The West (has) started to imply that I and Russian patriots have turned against Putin after the Kherson surrender, allegedly demanding his resignation,” Dugin wrote.

“No one has turned their back on Putin, I and all Russian patriots support him unconditionally.”

Dugin’s daughter, TV commentator Daria Dugina, 29, was killed in a Moscow car explosion in August.

Russian authorities blamed the attack on Ukraine operatives and suggested her father was the target.

Latest developments:

⬤ Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba sought to temper the excitement over Kherson.

“We are winning battles on the ground, but the war continues,” he said.

⬤ Aides to Putin have tried to distance him from the Kherson retreat. “The defense minister (made) the decision, I have nothing to say about this,” Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.