Is Putin losing control? Growing concerns over isolation and economic woes
As the war in Ukraine strains Russia's economy and society, questions arise about Putin's grip on power.
Four years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the unspoken deal between Vladimir Putin and the Russian people is being tested to the limit. The pact allowed the war to rage on while ordinary Russians, especially in big cities, continued their normal lives. Now, that arrangement is crumbling.
According to Russian affairs reporter Pjotr Sauer, the economy is stagnating, and up to half a million men have been killed in Ukraine. In recent months, authorities have also tightened control over internet access. Muscovites are resorting to paper maps and even walkie-talkies to navigate and communicate.
Meanwhile, reports of the president's increasing isolation and paranoia are growing. Putin is rarely seen in public, and the nickname 'grandpa in a bunker' has gained popularity. The question arises: could Putin, who has been in charge of Russia for over 26 years, be losing his grip on power?
