Russian veteran issues ultimatum, seeks live Putin meeting

A Russian military veteran has issued a public ultimatum to President Vladimir Putin, threatening an armed uprising unless he is granted a live, televised meeting to discuss alleged widespread abuses of soldiers in the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin said it was aware of the viral video but had not yet reviewed it.

In a video posted to Instagram on Thursday, June 25, Alexander Lunin, a 39-year-old veteran from the Voronezh region, delivered a message he claimed was from disgruntled high-ranking defense and security officials. Wearing combat fatigues, Lunin demanded a personal audience with Putin broadcast live to reveal what he called "the whole truth" about the treatment of troops.

"If I don't arrive at the Kremlin in the near future and speak live on the air right next to you, the army will turn its weapons against the Kremlin," Lunin warned. "I'm merely passing along the message."

The video spread rapidly across social media platforms, amassing millions of views within hours. Lunin's allegations are grave. He claimed that thousands of soldiers are being held in pit-style prisons, or "zindans," and are tortured for refusing to carry out what he described as "stupid, suicidal...