"Race to Reach Moscow Accelerates by the Divisional Forces"
In a recent interview on the "And Then Graham Happened" YouTube channel, Russian human rights activist Vladimir Osechkin voiced concerns about the stability of President Vladimir Putin's regime. Osechkin suggested that Putin cannot afford to make concessions, as doing so could destabilise his rule internally, potentially leading to power struggles and violent repercussions within the Russian elite.
According to Osechkin, Putin's leadership is maintained through repression and an image of strength. Any signs of yielding could undermine this stability, as concessions in autocratic regimes are often fraught with risks of backlash or even regime collapse.
The Wagner Private Military Company (PMC), a Russian group consisting of a few thousand people, most of whom are mercenaries, and half are convicts, poses a significant threat that the FSB cannot handle, according to Osechkin. If the Wagner PMC were to go on a march, it could cause divisions, as it may be perceived as a challenge to Putin's authority.
Osechkin also predicted that Putin will continue to portray everyone as an enemy and will use intimidation and state terror against his own population to justify economic problems and looming disasters for the Russians' well-being. He believes that Putin has built a system where he is now a hostage with no freedom of choice or way out of the situation.
These comments indicate a potential internal conflict within Russia's power structure, reflecting a wider concern among Russian opposition figures and analysts about the durability of Putin’s authoritarian system under internal and external pressure.
[1] Source: The cited source primarily discusses Osechkin's perspective in the context of Putin’s tactics and the risks linked to any political softness, reflecting a wider concern among Russian opposition figures and analysts about the durability of Putin’s authoritarian system under internal and external pressure.
- In light of the revealed concerns, the ongoing stability of President Vladimir Putin's regime, especially in the face of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news, appears precarious as internal power struggles and violent repercussions within the Russian elite may ensue.
- The Wagner Private Military Company (PMC), a significant threat to Putin's authority, could instigate divisions within Russia, given its potential to be perceived as a challenge to Putin's rule, further adding to the concerns about war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news in Russia.
