Andrei Morozov, a prominent Russian military blogger and former soldier known by the alias "Murz," has reportedly been sent to a psychiatric clinic after publishing criticism of the country's military leadership and President Vladimir Putin. Morozov, who had over 120,000 subscribers on Telegram, was a staunch supporter of the war in Ukraine but became increasingly critical of battlefield tactics and what he described as the disregard for soldiers' lives by senior commanders.
According to reports from Russian independent media and statements from his associates, Morozov faced intense pressure from authorities following his posts. He had accused the Russian Defense Ministry of lying about casualty figures and criticized a specific general for incompetence. Prior to his hospitalization, Morozov announced he was deleting his Telegram channel, suggesting he was forced to do so.
The use of psychiatric detention against government critics has a long history in Russia and the former Soviet Union. Human rights groups have frequently condemned the practice as a tool of political repression. The news of Morozov's treatment highlights the severe risks faced by even pro-war voices who deviate from the official narrative on the conflict in Ukraine.
