There’s growing frustration among Russia’s high society over the ongoing Ukraine conflict, and it’s not just the average citizen feeling the strain. The Russian elite are increasingly concerned, with many wanting an end to the war as soon as possible. Why? Well, the Western sanctions are starting to hit hard, and there’s a sense of worry about what the future holds for Russia’s economy.
Reports from the Institute for the Study of War highlight that some of Russia’s top officials and security personnel are feeling let down by Putin’s approach to the war. They’re growing more anxious about how he’s planning to wrap things up, or whether he even has a plan at all.
To make matters worse, Ukraine has been boasting about having weapons capable of striking from over 1,200 miles away, and opposition media outlets like Meduza are hearing whispers that Russia’s upper echelons are “disappointed” and “tired” of the war dragging on. The longer the conflict stretches, the deeper the fear grows about Russia’s financial stability, with sanctions tightening their grip on the economy.
The big worry now? Russia may not be able to keep up the fight much longer. Some insiders are suggesting that Putin needs to ramp things up and put the country on a “wartime footing,” which could mean serious mobilization efforts, including tapping into reserve forces and restructuring the economy.
Meanwhile, Russian security officers seem to favor an aggressive stance – escalating the conflict rather than seeking peace talks. But here’s the catch: there’s a growing realization that their armed forces aren’t gaining much ground. Even though there have been significant troop losses, those sacrifices haven’t led to any major victories on the battlefield.
It’s clear that Putin is betting on outlasting Ukraine, hoping that small gains over time will eventually add up to something bigger. But there’s a problem: Putin has been reluctant to make some tough calls, like a partial reserve call-up or pushing the Russian economy into full wartime mode, as these decisions would likely be unpopular and cause even more strain.
So, what’s next? Will Putin listen to the mounting pressure from his own inner circle to take more drastic steps? Or will he continue with his current approach, hoping things will turn around?
The future of the war—and Russia’s place in it—could depend on the decisions Putin makes in the coming days.