"Almost no one is satisfied": Kremlin sources describe growing anger at Putin - but no coup in sight?
Created: 05/26/2022, 06:51
By: Max Mueller
Criticism of Vladimir Putin is growing, including within his own ranks.
© Nicolas Maeterlinck/dpa
Apparently, things are getting lonelier around Vladimir Putin.
Critical voices are raised from his immediate surroundings - at least that's what can be read.
Moscow – Russia has been at war in Ukraine for three months now.
When the invasion began on February 24, almost all military experts expected a rapid advance and massive gains in territory.
It was only a matter of time before the small brother state had to surrender, it was said everywhere.
However, the government of President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is far from that.
Moscow is also aware that things are looking bad for Russia.
But little has leaked out of possible internal criticism in the Kremlin – until now.
Putin under pressure in Ukraine war?
“There is probably almost no one who is satisfied”
The Russian exile newspaper
Meduza
, which is based in Riga , says it has managed to speak to a person close to the Kremlin.
It is not clear who it is.
However, the source did not skimp on criticism.
“There is probably almost no one who is happy with Putin.
Businessmen and many cabinet members are unhappy that the President started this war without thinking through the extent of the sanctions.
Normal life is impossible under these sanctions," she said.
Other people close to Putin confirmed this analysis, reports
Meduza
.
So the frustration of the Russian elite could grow – both among opponents and supporters of the Ukraine conflict.
They are particularly upset that President Vladimir Putin is ignoring the economic difficulties at home.
Putin dismisses the debate about a Western oil and gas boycott as an empty threat.
Ukraine war: Putin's confidants reportedly no longer believe in Russian victory
Defeatism among pro-Kremlin elites is also covered by Christo Grozew, a Russia expert at the Bellingcat research group.
He expressed himself in an interview with the British news portal
Metro
.
According to him, top Russian officials are already of the opinion: the war is lost.
Grozew warned of hardliners who are now pressuring the government to use chemical and nuclear weapons.
If Putin decides that, everyone in the chain of command would have to support that decision - otherwise it would become obvious that the president's course is controversial.
Good news for the research expert: "As long as he is not sure that everyone will comply, he will not issue this order," Grozew is certain.
Putin puts the brakes on general mobilization: Russia's last chance to win the Ukraine war?
Another way to make the war in Ukraine a success would be to fully mobilize the Russian population.
At least that's how the source cited by
Meduza puts
the situation: "We have to work even harder.
This would mean a broad mobilization of reservists and a 'game to win', ideally by taking Kyiv itself.”
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However, the Kremlin has not yet announced full mobilization.
In this context, Putin's speech on “Victory Day” on May 9 was awaited with great anticipation.
May 9 is a holiday in Russia, which traditionally celebrates huge military parades.
It was feared that Putin would announce general mobilization there.
But the Kremlin is apparently reluctant to take this step.
Kremlin elites: Only a health problem can stop Putin
According to informants, a face-saving solution seems practically impossible for the Russian president.
There is no realistic scenario in which he could end the war in Ukraine while maintaining his high approval ratings.
Apparently, people close to Putin also consider a “dignified retreat” to be unrealistic.
According to
Meduza
, the Russian elites are aware that only a serious health problem could drive the president out of office.
"It's not that they want to overthrow Putin now or that they are planning a conspiracy, but there is a wish that he might not rule the state in the foreseeable future," the medium quoted another person as saying.
Trouble in Ukraine in the Kremlin: what comes after Putin?
But what comes after Putin?
This is of course pure speculation at this point in time.
Apparently, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, former President Dmitry Medvedev and First Deputy Chief of Staff Sergei Kiriyenko are being traded as possible successors.
In March, war opponents Ukraine also speculated about a coup against Putin and FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov as his successor.
Otherwise, Putin will probably be looking for trophies that can be presented in Russia.
For example, the Kremlin has not given up on the idea of annexing parts of Ukraine by holding referendums in the self-declared "People's Republics" of Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as in the Kherson region currently occupied by Russian troops.
When these referendums can take place also depends on the situation on the front lines.
(
Max Mueller
)
