British intelligence reveals real purpose of Putin's meeting with Shoigu, Gerasimov and Surovikin

British Ministry of Defense reports on Twitter.

British intelligence draws attention to the fact that on December 16, Vladimir Putin visited the joint headquarters of Russian armed forces and met with the highest military command. In particular, with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu. He listened to proposals regarding the next steps in the war against Ukraine. And one of those who gave a speech was the commander of the Russian military group in Ukraine, Sergey Surovikin.

"In this choreographed meeting, Putin likely intended to demonstrate collective responsibility for the special military operation. This display likely aimed to deflect Putin’s responsibility for military failure, high fatality rates and increasing public dissatisfaction from mobilisation," British intelligence concluded.

British intelligence also added that televised footage was probably designed to also dispel social media rumors of General Gerasimov’s dismissal.