Blogger Detained by Russian Military Police After Criticizing Putin

Military Blogger Yegor Guzenko Taken Into Custody

According to Главком: Russian military police have detained war blogger Yegor Guzenko, known by the call sign "Thirteenth." The arrest came after contact with Guzenko was lost in late April, following his critical remarks about President Vladimir Putin. His last post on Telegram, dated April 24, criticized Putin's statements regarding restrictions on mobile communications and the internet.

The detention was carried out by military police officers from the 33rd Regiment. Guzenko was taken from a medical unit where he was recovering from a serious injury-in March, the blogger suffered a double leg fracture with displacement. At the time of his arrest, he had not yet fully healed. Authorities confiscated his phone and reassigned him to an assault unit.

Guzenko's Military Role and Influence

Guzenko runs the Telegram channel "Thirteenth," where he posted updates on combat operations. He has been involved in fighting against Ukraine since 2014 as part of the DNR group and also served in Syria in 2019. Previously, he faced a criminal investigation, but after signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense, the legal proceedings were dropped. Notably, Guzenko has called for the use of nuclear weapons against Ukraine, drawing additional scrutiny to his activities.

This incident highlights growing tensions among military bloggers and their influence in modern information warfare. Guzenko's detention may signal increasing distrust by authorities toward critical voices within military circles, as well as potential repercussions for those who dissent from official policy. In the context of Russia's ongoing information campaigns, bloggers play a key role in shaping public opinion and narratives about military actions, placing their safety and freedom of expression at risk.