The war in Ukraine seems to be causing increasing tensions even within the system built by Vladimir Putin. According to information in the Western press, several influential people within the power circle have expressed dissatisfaction with the economic costs of the conflict, and some are transferring their assets abroad out of fear of a political crisis.
At the same time, Kyiv Post reports that one of the Kremlin’s most well-known propagandists admitted live on air that Russia is facing serious problems on the front lines and that some decisions made before the invasion were a „huge mistake.”
The Ukrainian publication quotes reports from The Sun and AOL, as well as statements from Western analysts.
Dissatisfaction within the power circle
German Gref, the director of Sberbank and one of the most influential figures in the Russian financial system, is said to have called for an end to the war in Ukraine. He reportedly accused the Kremlin of sacrificing the economy to avoid a peace deal deemed humiliating.
A few weeks later, billionaire Andrei Melnichenko, one of the wealthiest men in Russia and a significant name in the fertilizer industry, publicly appealed to the West for economic support. The publication interprets the message as an indirect criticism of Putin's leadership of Russia.
Analysts say that such publicly expressed positions are extremely rare in Russia and indicate that dissatisfaction is beginning to surface.
One reason cited is the series of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian infrastructure. According to the article, these have impacted oil installations, disrupted the operations of the Wildberries online platform, and contributed to fuel supply issues.
Jason Smart, an analyst specializing in the war in Ukraine, claims that the wealthiest Russians have transferred tens of billions of dollars out of the country in the past year.
"They understand that Putin's regime is on very shaky ground. There is a high chance it could collapse at this moment," Smart told The Sun. He asserts that various groups within the Russian elite are already preparing for the post-Putin period and warns of a high risk of internal violence.
Increased security measures
In this context, security around Vladimir Putin's residence at Valdai is reported to have been significantly reinforced. According to the publication, 27 modern anti-aircraft defense systems have been deployed in the area.
Additionally, the Russian National Guard, which reports directly to Putin, has been equipped with heavy weaponry, including tank units. The cited analysts believe that this measure could be related to preparations for suppressing a potential internal revolt.
Tokaiev urges Putin to "freeze" the war
The pressure is not only coming from within Russia.
At a recent meeting in Omsk, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, told Vladimir Putin that it is time to "freeze" the conflict in Ukraine. The Kazakh leader stated that the war's purpose is no longer clear and called for a return to negotiations based on the formula discussed in Istanbul.
Former British military attaché in Moscow, John Foreman, believes that Tokayev's message signals that Kazakhstan is no longer willing to accept Kremlin pressure. The statement comes after Ukrainian attacks on an oil terminal in the Black Sea forced Kazakhstan to drastically reduce production at its main oil field.
Kremlin propagandist admits Russian army issues
Signs of unease have also reached the state media.
Vladimir Solovyov, one of the main Kremlin propagandists, acknowledged live on his TV show the difficulties facing the Russian army. He stated that Russia has a serious deficit in drone interception systems and warned that Ukrainian ballistic missiles will strike deeper into Russian territory.
Solovyov claimed that the destruction of large quantities of ammunition and military equipment before the invasion of Ukraine was "a huge mistake."
"We are facing a new type of war. For us, it is a very difficult war because in 2022 it became clear that the military doctrine under which the world's armies operated is no longer valid," the Russian propagandist declared.
Despite these signals, Vladimir Putin continues to maintain that Russia is not responsible for initiating the invasion. In a speech to Russian Navy personnel in St. Petersburg, the Kremlin leader repeated the false claim that Moscow only responded to a war started by the authorities in Kiev with Western support.