Vladimir Solovyov, a leading propagandist for Russian President Vladimir Putin, has warned that business elites opposing the war in Ukraine are 'gaining momentum', signalling growing internal dissent. Speaking on the Russian radio show 'Full Contact', Solovyov criticised oligarchs and major business figures who have turned against the Kremlin since the invasion of Ukraine four years ago.
Solovyov's tirade against business elites
Solovyov accused wealthy Russians of wanting to end the war to restore their access to Western markets and lifestyles. 'When I see that merchant dirtbags, entrenched in all sorts of cabinets, are starting to say, let's start negotiations, why are we doing this? You are depriving our kids of a future,' he said. He questioned whether they were trying to 'organise something akin to Chile in 1973', referencing the military coup that ousted socialist president Salvador Allende. 'Are we going to deal with this somehow? We should be more strict. Our law enforcement agencies need more powers. And we should deal with it more harshly, very harshly,' he added.
Growing rift between Kremlin and oligarchs
Russian writer and commentator Maksim Kalashnikov noted that the ruling class now views the top leadership as a 'toxic figure - not even an asset, but a liability'. He said they 'very much want this war to end, for the return of the old good times, when one could freely travel to the West, not fear sanctions, sell hydrocarbons, and regain the European market.' The war and subsequent Western sanctions have severely impacted the fortunes of Russia's wealthiest individuals, eroding their support for Putin.
Solovyov targets Central Bank governor
Solovyov also criticised Elvira Nabiullina, the governor of Russia's Central Bank and former economic advisor to Putin, who is widely credited with stabilising the Russian economy amid sanctions. He accused her of ignoring military production needs: 'Look, the enemy is declaring, we will give this many billions to purchase and produce heavy-load drones... Meanwhile, what is Nabiullina saying? She isn't saying anything about it, not one word about military production.' According to Russia's Central Bank, the country's total external debt soared by 10.4% in 2025, reaching $319.8 billion, as Moscow borrows more to finance the war.
Tightened security around Putin
Reports indicate that security around Putin has been significantly tightened in recent months. Surveillance systems have been installed in the homes of close staff members, and those working near the president face strict rules, including limits on phone use and bans on public transport. These measures follow a series of assassinations targeting senior Russian military figures, including the killing of a top general in December. Putin has also reduced the number of places he regularly visits, avoiding some of his usual residences near Moscow and Valdai.
