Putin Ropes In "Butcher of Mariupol" As Russia "Relieves" Deputy Minister of Defence Over Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin's favourite army general has been promoted to the post of new deputy defence minister. Mikhail Mizintsev is known for his role in the savage blitzkrieg bombardment of Mariupol in May 2022. Mizintsev’s promotion is seen as part of an uncompromising new strategy by Putin after military reversals in Ukraine. He reportedly gave the order to strike at a maternity hospital, drama theatre, a children's hospital and civilian homes in Mariupol.