Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing increasing pressure from members of Russia’s political and business elite, with some insiders claiming growing dissatisfaction over the Kremlin’s handling of the war in Ukraine and the country’s economic challenges.
According to a report by The Sun, several influential figures have publicly questioned the direction of the Russian government in recent weeks, an unusual development in a political system where criticism of the Kremlin is rare.
Among them is German Gref, the head of Russia’s largest bank and a former senior government official, who reportedly called for an end to the war in Ukraine, arguing that the prolonged conflict has damaged Russia’s economy. The report also highlighted comments by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, who appealed for economic support from Western countries and reportedly called for an end to what he described as one-man rule.
Ukraine War analyst Jason Smart told The Sun that Russia’s elite are increasingly focused on protecting their financial interests as economic pressures mount. He said: “They understand that Putin’s regime is on very shaky ground. And at this point, there’s a very good chance that it will fall.”
According to the report, wealthy Russians have quietly transferred billions of dollars abroad over the past year as they seek to safeguard their assets amid uncertainty. Smart said: “They are doing what they can right now to make sure that they are able to preserve their assets.”
The report also claimed that Putin has significantly reduced his public appearances in recent months, while security around his residences has reportedly been strengthened. It alleged that Russia’s National Guard has expanded both its personnel and military capabilities, including the addition of tank units.
Commenting on the development, Smart said: “Why do you need tanks unless you’re gonna have battle with other tanks? But that’s exactly what they’re planning for. The potential for mutiny. There are those around Putin who understand that his days are numbered.”
Russian political analyst and government critic Igor Eidman also told The Sun that frustration among members of the Russian establishment is growing. He said: “The Kremlin elites are growing impatient. They understand the war cannot be won and are increasingly promoting the idea that something has to change, and urgently.”
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The report further noted that Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recently urged Russia to consider freezing the conflict in Ukraine during a meeting with Putin. Tokayev reportedly said: “Perhaps it is already time to freeze this conflict, return to the Istanbul 2.0 formula, as significant results were achieved there.”
Former UK Defence Attaché to Russia, John Foreman, told The Sun that Tokayev’s remarks could signal a desire to distance Kazakhstan from Moscow while maintaining diplomatic ties.
Foreman said the war has altered regional dynamics, adding: “The world has turned following Putin’s self-inflicted strategic catastrophe in 2022. A ferocious Ukraine on his borders, huge casualties, a bigger NATO, Russia’s former territories in Central Asia distancing themselves, and China taking Russia to the cleaners.”
The report also claimed that Armenia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have increasingly sought to reduce their dependence on Moscow, creating greater opportunities for both China and the United States to expand their influence in Central Asia.
The claims contained in The Sun report have not been independently verified, and the Kremlin has not publicly responded to the allegations regarding internal dissatisfaction among Russia’s political and business elite.
