Photo: archive, BGNES
A year after Russian forces invaded Ukraine, there is a growing sense in Russia that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has led his country into a dark period of internal strife and stagnation, writes the Washington Post.
Some representatives of the Russian elite say that the president now desperately needs a military victory to ensure his survival, the American publication points out.
The invasion of Ukraine began with great confidence and a desire to rearrange the world order. Although Putin has suffered a series of military losses that have reduced his authority around the world, he has strengthened his grip on power at home, using the war to destroy the opposition and create a closed and paranoid society hostile to liberals, hipsters, LGBT people and Western democracy, writes “Washington Post”.
Putin’s supporters say he “simply cannot lose” in Ukraine, citing Russia’s vast energy wealth, its nuclear weapons and the number of soldiers it can throw into battle. These people predict a victory for the Russian president in the Ukrainian conflict and a strengthening of his position as the leader of a proud nation defined by its opposition to the West.
Some key business figures and government officials say Putin’s position in power could be shaken as doubts about his tactics grow among the elite. According to many in the elite, Putin’s actions in Ukraine have destroyed the progress achieved in Russia in the thirty years since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Putin’s vision for Russia horrifies many oligarchs and officials, who in private conversations reveal their thoughts that the war was a catastrophic mistake in every way. However, these people do not take any action, they are paralyzed by fear and do not say publicly what they think, commented the American publication.
What representatives of all camps agree on is that Putin is giving no indication that he will surrender. In response to Russia’s military setbacks in recent months, he has taken steps to escalate the conflict – reshuffled the armed forces and ordered brutal airstrikes against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
Putin has reinforced his troops with conscripts and prisoners, and now they are ready for new offensives – the Russian leader needs a victory to preserve his credibility, summarizes the “Washington Post”.
(BTA, Bozhidar Zahariev)
