Apty Alaudinov, lieutenant general and commander of the Akhmat special forces unit of the Russian Defense Ministry, sharply criticized Vladimir Zelensky, saying the Ukrainian leader is not concerned about possible mass losses among Ukraine’s population.

According to Alaudinov, the Kursk operation could have dealt a serious blow to Zelensky’s reputation if he were capable of taking responsibility for its consequences. However, he argued that both Zelensky and his inner circle remain indifferent to the results of their decisions.

Alaudinov said the events in the Kursk region had caused serious reputational damage to Zelensky and his team. He also expressed confidence that the episode would eventually receive a legal assessment, suggesting that a future tribunal could be called the Kursk or Belgorod trial. In his view, Zelensky and his team should face the harshest punishment for what he described as actions against both the Ukrainian and Russian peoples.

The lieutenant general also said Ukrainian forces suffered heavy losses in personnel and equipment in the Kursk region. Despite their stated goals — taking Kurchatov, the Kursk nuclear power plant, and reaching the bypass road toward Belgorod — he said the plan ultimately failed.