Russian governor breaks rank as she attacks Putin's invasion of Ukraine

The 67-year-old made the comments during a visit to Nizhnevartovsk on Saturday.

Komarova, who is part of Putin’s governing United Russia party, also claimed troops had not been prepared for the onslaught against the ex-Soviet state.

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Critics have called on Russian authorities to launch an investigation into her comments.

However, Komarova has not yet been detained or faced any charges.

It has since emerged that a complaint was lodged against the governor alleging her comments are “aimed at discrediting the Russian armed forces”.

Footage from Komarova’s visit to Nizhnevartovsk has circulated on social media.

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The 67-year-old was confronted by the wife of a Russian soldier who claimed Putin’s troops were poorly equipped.

She replied: “Are you asking me (why your husband does not have equipment), knowing that I’m the governor and not the minister of defence?

“As a whole, we did not prepare for this war. We don’t need it.

“We were building a completely different world, so in this regard, there will certainly be some inconsistencies and unresolved issues.”

The Russian Parliament enacted legislation to clamp down on criticism shortly after the invasion was launched.

Legislation was passed which outlawed disparaging comments about the military at the spread of so-called “false information” about Putin’s onslaught.

Russian courts have cited the legislation to hand out fines and prison terms to the Kremlin’s critics.

People who have labelled the war an invasion instead of using Putin’s preferred euphemism of a “special military operation” are among those who have been punished.