Russian Coup Attempt Exposes Cracks in Putin’s Rule and Raises Concerns About Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing significant challenges in Ukraine and is increasingly isolated on the global stage, according to President Joe Biden. Speaking on Wednesday, Biden stated that Putin is losing the war in Ukraine and has become “a bit of a pariah around the world.” The comments come in the wake of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s failed coup attempt, which some experts believe poses the greatest challenge to Putin’s authoritarian rule in his 23-year reign.

Mary Kate Schneider, director of global studies at Loyola University Maryland, described Prigozhin’s coup attempt as a revelation of “fissures in Putin’s armor” that could be exploited by other challengers. Despite the failure of the coup, Schneider believes that the fact that Putin “blinked” is significant.

Zev Faintuch, a senior intelligence analyst at Global Guardian, stated that Putin’s “monopoly on violence in Russia is over.” Faintuch believes that Putin’s power was derived from his ability to control the “underbosses” of Russia, but this control has now been weakened.

In recent developments, Ukrainian forces have advanced almost a mile in various sectors of the front line, reclaiming more than half the land seized by Russia in the early months of the war. Lithuania has also announced that it will send 10 more armored vehicles to Ukraine, bringing the total to 72.

In a separate incident, a Russian missile attack on a busy Ukrainian pizza restaurant has resulted in four deaths and 47 injuries. The death toll has since risen to 10, with at least 61 people wounded. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of “brutally attacking” the city of Kramatorsk with S-300 missiles.

In another development, the Swiss government has blocked the transfer of 96 Leopard tanks to Ukraine, citing neutrality laws. The tanks, stored in Italy, were intended for transport to Germany before being sent to Ukraine as military aid. Switzerland’s Federal Council stated that the sale of the tanks would contradict the law on military equipment.

The Wall Street Journal has also reported that Prigozhin had planned to capture high-ranking Russian military leaders, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Gen. Valery Gerasimov. However, the insurrection was forced to accelerate after the country’s domestic intelligence agency became aware of the plot. The premature launch of the coup may have contributed to its failure.

Despite these challenges, it is still too early to predict Putin’s imminent fall, according to Faintuch. However, the events of recent weeks have undoubtedly weakened Putin’s position and exposed vulnerabilities in his rule.

What are the implications of Putin’s perceived leadership challenges and growing isolation for the global perception of his authority

Is now facing such challenges and is increasingly isolated indicates a significant shift in the global perception of his leadership.

In a recent statement, US President Joe Biden expressed his belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin is encountering considerable difficulties in Ukraine and is becoming more isolated on the international stage. Biden asserted that Putin is currently losing the battle in Ukraine and is gradually turning into a global outcast. This statement comes after Yevgeny Prigozhin’s attempted coup, which many experts argue presents the most substantial threat to Putin’s authoritative rule throughout his 23-year reign.

Mary Kate Schneider, the director of global studies at Loyola University Maryland, asserted that Prigozhin’s failed coup is a clear indication of weaknesses in Putin’s leadership, which could potentially be exploited by other challengers. Even though the coup did not succeed, Schneider believes that the mere fact that Putin is facing such challenges and experiencing increased isolation illustrates a significant change in how his leadership is perceived worldwide.