Insiders have told The Sun that Russia's ruling elite is growing 'increasingly impatient' with Vladimir Putin, with those closest to the president reportedly moving money overseas as they prepare for a coming 'mutiny'.
Ukraine war analyst Jason Smart said Russia's elite 'understand that Putin's regime is on very shaky ground'. He told The Sun: 'And at this point, there's a very good chance that it will fall.'
Why tanks are being stockpiled
Mr Smart also questioned why the Kremlin has been strengthening its national guard with weapons such as tanks. 'Why do you need tanks unless you're gonna have battle with other tanks?' he said. 'But that's exactly what they're planning for. The potential for mutiny.'
Russian dissident Igor Eidman also told The Sun that the elites in Russia are 'growing impatient'.
Drone strikes and domestic discontent
Long-range Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory, particularly on oil infrastructure, have been a hammerblow to the Kremlin. The strikes have caused mass fuel shortages in recent months and placed additional strain on Russia's struggling economy.
Russians are also believed to be growing dissatisfied with issues including internet outages, state attempts to tighten control of online spaces and fears of new mobilisation. Ukraine's shift towards targeting Russia's biggest e-commerce platform would have done little to dispel these concerns as the war increasingly affects daily lives in the country.
Calls from Russia's financial elite
The claims come after German Gref, Russia's top banker, last month called for a 'rapid end of hostilities' in Ukraine. Weeks later, oligarch Andrey Melnichenko called for an end to one-man rule in Russia.
Heavy losses and mobilisation fears
As of May, British intelligence chiefs estimated nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine since the war began in February 2022. Russia is suffering heavy losses as it makes small gains in an area known as the 'fortress belt' in eastern Ukraine.
Reports emerged in June that the Kremlin was under increasing pressure to make improved progress in its full-scale invasion. It was claimed Mr Putin was considering Russia's first mobilisation since 2022 — Moscow's only previous mobilisation during the war — in a bid to bolster forces on the frontline amid a drop in new recruits. The Russian President was said to be reluctant to make the move due to the political risks.
