Former Kremlin Official Says Russians Are Imagining a Future Without Putin

A former senior Kremlin official has revealed that Russians are starting to acknowledge President Vladimir Putin’s failure to shape the country’s future, with elites subtly distancing themselves from his leadership. In an anonymous op-ed published in The Economist, the official noted that government peers, regional governors, and businessmen have stopped using first-person plural when discussing Putin’s actions, signaling a shift from solidarity to detachment.

The Decline of Putin's Authority

The former official emphasized that while this shift does not indicate an imminent rebellion, it reflects growing disillusionment with Putin’s regime. The Kremlin has abandoned efforts to sell narratives of national restoration or modernization, as Russia faces soaring casualties and economic strain from the war in Ukraine. "The irony is that Mr. Putin started the war to preserve power and the system he has created," the official wrote. "Now, for the first time since the conflict began, Russians are starting to imagine a future without him."

"The system can persist for as long as Mr. Putin remains in power. But his every move to preserve and expand it accelerates decay."

Economic and Political Turmoil

Russia’s economic woes, including high inflation, rising taxes, and crumbling infrastructure, have exacerbated public dissatisfaction. Elites, too, face significant losses, with the state seizing an estimated $60 billion in assets from private businessmen over the past three years. The official added that the regime’s focus on repression and censorship has eroded the social contract that once allowed citizens to enjoy private lives in exchange for political apathy.

Putin’s isolation in underground bunkers, micromanaging the war and fearing coups or assassination attempts, further underscores the regime’s fragility. State polls show his approval rating has dropped to 65.6%, a significant decline from prewar levels above 80%.

As Russia’s disconnection from the regime deepens, the question remains: how long can Putin sustain his grip on power?