The chief Russian communist Zyuganov suddenly criticized the "exhausting war" and hinted that the elections were falsified

Head of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Gennady Zyuganov openly called the war in Ukraine a war (not a “special military operation,” as is usually said in Russia) and hinted that the State Duma elections were falsified. The party’s press service published video of his briefing 20 September.

“We fully understood that elections under conditions of war are a fundamentally different event that requires the utmost unity, personal responsibility, and thorough work with the country’s citizens, who demand a turn to a new policy, who insist that prices not rise to unheard-of levels, and that utilities not crush them,” Zyuganov said.

He drew attention to Russia’s economic and technological backwardness from the world (“In 20 years we haven’t even made our own phone”) and reproached the oligarchs for merely lining their pockets and “not wanting to take part in the victory, pay normal taxes, and invest funds.”

“If the course doesn’t change and this exhausting war continues, everyone will lose. Without a left-center turn, without a turn to justice, friendship, and socialism, there is nothing to consolidate this victory with,” the Russian politician said.

In addition, in an interview with propagandists “Rossiya 1” Zyuganov hinted that the elections were falsified: “Unfortunately, during the election campaign the tendencies that came today from the stormy 90-s manifested themselves. This must categorically not be allowed.”

According to the CPRF leader, a preliminary poll showed the party receiving from 18% to 30%. “Unfortunately, there are entire regions. For example, in Voronezh, in a city of a million people, all observers were removed completely illegally,” he noted.

Zyuganov is not the first to call the Russian invasion of Ukraine a war instead of using the propagandistic term “special operation.” At the same time, he does not call for its end, but demands “societal unity” and a greater contribution from the country to the “victory.”