Putin Is Losing His Grip on Russia
Why It Matters
The weakening of Putin’s domestic grip signals heightened political risk for investors and could reshape Russia’s economic and security policies, affecting global markets and geopolitical calculations.
Key Takeaways
- •Putin's focus on Ukraine leaves domestic governance in disarray.
- •Internet shutdowns expose power struggles among siloviki, oligarchs, technocrats.
- •Russian businesses now fund their own anti‑drone defenses.
- •Public and elite frustration grows, demanding Putin’s return to control.
- •Regime’s internal fractures threaten stability but not immediate collapse.
Summary
The video argues that Vladimir Putin’s preoccupation with the war in Ukraine has left him largely absent from day‑to‑day governance, allowing competing factions within the Russian power elite to vie for influence.
Recent nationwide internet shutdowns, the forced replacement of Telegram with the state‑run messenger Max, and the cancellation of parts of the Victory Day parade illustrate how the siloviki, oligarchs and technocrats are each trying to impose their own rules. Businesses are now paying for anti‑drone nets and air‑defence systems, a clear sign that the state’s security guarantee is eroding.
As former insider Sasha Proenko notes, “no one knows who gave the final order to cut the internet,” and “the Kremlin has shifted the cost of protection onto private firms.” She also describes a rare public outcry from both citizens and elites demanding that Putin resume direct control.
The fragmentation undermines the regime’s traditional vertical command, creating uncertainty for investors, suppliers and foreign partners. While the system is not on the brink of collapse, the growing internal discord could lead to more business disruptions and a less predictable policy environment.
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