Word Is Spreading in Russia that Elites Are Slowly Turning on Putin and His Ukraine War

Word Is Spreading in Russia that Elites are Slowly Turning on Putin and His Ukraine War

At some points during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a defeat for Kyiv has seemed inevitable. The war appeared to be a constant drain on Ukrainian and Western resources at times when Russian forces were making significant gains on the frontlines. Today, though, Kyiv is fighting back with domestically made long-range drones and missiles, putting Moscow on the back foot, and causing so much visible damage that it’s hard for any Russian to ignore th…

Elites Could Push Putin to Either End the War or to Escalate It

Executive Summary: Amid the systemic crisis in Russia, evidence of elite divisions over the war against Ukraine is growing. Some Russian elites reportedly favor an end to the conflict, while hardline “hawks” continue to advocate escalation, retaining influence over Kremlin decision-making. Russian President Vladimir Putin appears increasingly insulated within a pro-war information environment, reinforcing expectations of victory. Support for th…