Putin Loses Control Over Elite as Talk of Defeat Grows Louder in Russia

According to a report by "Jauns.lv", discontent in Russia over the war in Ukraine is escalating, and members of the ruling elite are increasingly voicing their concerns openly. This is evidenced by statements from several influential figures, as well as the economic hardships facing the country.

Former Russian Deputy Energy Minister and opposition figure Vladimir Milov, who currently lives in exile, stated that the situation in the country is rapidly deteriorating. He noted that it is being publicly acknowledged more and more often that the state is in serious trouble.

Particularly notable is the statement by German Gref, head of Sberbank, who served as economy minister during Putin's first presidential terms and is still considered one of the most influential economic figures. Gref recently declared that the top priority is ending hostilities as quickly as possible. He emphasized that there is hardly anyone now who is more concerned about that.

The discontent is fueled by multiple factors: economic difficulties, fuel shortages, rising inflation, Ukrainian strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure, and heavy Russian military losses. Ukraine's advances in long-range drone and missile technology add additional pressure, as strikes increasingly hit targets in occupied Crimea and on Russian territory.

The consequences of the war are also increasingly felt by ordinary Russians, who face fuel supply disruptions, price hikes, lines at gas stations, and are more often refraining from vacationing in Crimea.

Analysts suggest that Vladimir Putin is likely receiving distorted information about the real situation at the front. An example is a recently leaked map from the Russian Defense Ministry, which marked as "captured" settlements that were actually still under full Ukrainian control.