Russian revolt: Putin stranglehold waning as ‘opposition figures emboldened’ by volatile mercenaries
Vladimir Putin has not taken kindly to vocal opposition in the past
Reuters
Vladimir Putin’s firm grip on Russia is suffering after the emergence of "vitriolic rhetoric by nationalist figures", according to the Ministry of Defence.
The President was dealt a testing blow by Boris Nadezhdin last week, as the opposition politician appeared on state-approved TV to call for Putin’s deposition.
Given the rare opportunity to voice opinion on the NTV channel's Mesto Vstrechi (Meeting Place) on 27 May, Nadezhdin implored the public to put an end to Putin’s reign so that Russia could reconcile with Europe.
Nadezhdin said: “Under the current political regime there is no way for us to come back to Europe.
Boris Nadezhdin standing his ground on state-backed TV
"We simply have to choose different authorities to govern the country that would stop this story with Ukraine.”
Despite the clamouring of co-anchor Ivan Trushkin rejecting his views as “boring”, Nadezhdin suggested Russians “need to choose someone else, and not Putin” at the next presidential elections.
Under new rules, Putin could technically remain in power until 2036, yet newspaper Kommersant reports that the Kremlin is preparing for Putin to run for re-election next year.
Underlining the significance of Nadezhdin’s declaration, the UK’s Ministry of Defence said: “This is highly likely the first call for Putin to be replaced on Russian state-approved TV since it began.
“In the last 15 months, Russia has introduced limitations on freedom of speech which haven’t been seen since Soviet times."
Putin's regime has become very effective at suppressing countervailing voices
Reuters
“However, there is a realistic possibility that recent vitriolic rhetoric by nationalists figures such as Wagner Group owner Yevgeny Prigozhin is emboldening opposition figures to challenge taboo topics.”
Yevgeny Prigozhin, renegade millionaire and head of the Wagner private military contractor, has berated the Russian leadership as “scum” and “swine” for failing to protect Moscow from recent drone strikes.
In an expletive-ridden public scolding, Prigozhin said: “You, the Defence Ministry, have done nothing to launch an offensive."
"How dare you to allow the drones to reach Moscow?”
Aftermath of drone strikes on Moscow
Reuters
Wagner’s disillusionment comes as a drone attack targeted Moscow on Tuesday, exposing breaches in the Russian air defences and bringing the war viscerally into the homes of the Russian public.
Despite the strikes, Tatiana Stanovaya, senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre, believes that Putin is confident in his own public support.
Stanovaya said: “Putin has talked repeatedly about the Russian people’s remarkable patience and tenacity.”
“No matter how defiant another Ukrainian attack is, Putin doesn’t think that it could provoke public discontent with the government.”
Historically, Putin has been less laid back over vocal opposition leaders and dissidents.