Dmitry Rogozin may be in some trouble in Russia

Enlarge / Dmitry Rogozin, second from left, has been active in the Donbas region of Ukraine. (credit: Dmitry Rogozin/Telegram)

It has been nearly five months since Dmitry Rogozin was sacked as director general of Roscosmos, the Russian state-owned space corporation. Later, a Russian space official acknowledged that Rogozin was removed from this high-profile post to ease tensions with NASA and other partners on the International Space Station. It has worked, as international spaceflight relations have improved.

Since his dismissal it has been speculated that Rogozin might take some sort of leadership position in Russian-occupied areas of Eastern Ukraine. This has yet to happen, however, so Rogozin declared himself the head of the "Tsar's Wolves" inspection group of volunteers. Rogozin's stated aim has been to test and supply the advanced weapons technology needed by Russian troops to win the war.

As part of his efforts, Rogozin has been posting images and statements to his Telegram account from the Donbas region of Ukraine, visiting with troops. To look the part—and, knowing Rogozin, likely to build up his image as a "tough guy"—Rogozin has also posted images of himself dressed up as a soldier. At times, however, Rogozin's actions have looked more like cosplaying than anything else, and some Russians (as well as prominent former NASA astronauts) have taken to mocking the Russian politician who was once close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.