Disparity of Power: Shoigu's Daughter vs. His Soldier

In a shocking display of disparity between the powerful and the powerless, Ksenia Shoigu, daughter of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, was spotted yesterday enjoying a luxurious pool in Dubai while one of his soldiers froze to death in a foxhole in Ukraine. The soldier had been sent to Ukraine as part of Russia’s ongoing military operations there. Reports indicate that he was not provided with proper winter clothing or supplies for the harsh conditions he encountered. As temperatures dropped below zero degrees Celsius overnight, he succumbed to hypothermia and died in his foxhole. Meanwhile, Ksenia Shoigu was seen splashing around in an infinity pool at an exclusive resort in Dubai. A video posted online shows her frolicking with friends and family members under the hot sun while her father’s soldier lay dead thousands of miles away. The stark contrast between these two situations has sparked outrage among many who have seen it as yet another example of corruption within Russia’s government and military ranks. Critics are pointing out that if Sergei Shoigu had taken better care of his troops, this tragedy could have been avoided altogether. This is not the first time that Sergei Shoigu has come under fire for his alleged mismanagement of resources within the Russian military forces; earlier this year he was accused by some members of parliament for diverting funds from defense budgets towards luxury items such as yachts and helicopters for himself and other high-ranking officials within his inner circle. It remains to be seen what repercussions will come from this latest incident but it is clear that something needs to be done about Russia’s corrupt practices before more innocent lives are lost due to negligence or misuse of power by those at the top.