Hello! This is Vyorstka’s politics desk. Over the past few months, observers have been watching...

Hello! This is Vyorstka’s politics desk. Over the past few months, observers of Russian politics have been noting processes that some call “turbulence in power,” while others even boldly speculate about a “snuffbox” scenario, allegedly meaning that someone in Putin’s entourage is about to overthrow him.

Of course, it is impossible to predict such a thing, but honestly, it seems unlikely. Simply because the very top circles close to Putin actually have no reason to do it. After all, Putin is precisely their guarantor of stability. If Putin is gone, they will most likely end up in prison, and they have nowhere to run, since they themselves have closed off almost the entire world to themselves.

Mid-level functionaries, on the other hand, are extremely nervous. In other words, the people who have to carry out what is happening during the war, deal with crises, and run around on the ground. Because they can be jailed now, or worse, and if the system collapses, there may be no place for them in the new one. That is how they have ended up trapped: no matter what happens, they are never going to see a peaceful life again.

Is this a crisis in the system? Yes, obviously it is a crisis. Denying it is stupid; there are too many signs. And it is not even about falling ratings, but about openly neurotic decisions, hole-ridden budgets, and the very serious economic crisis Russia is going through.

Will this crisis lead to serious political changes? We invite you to discuss it in the comments.

And read the text about how Russian elites are living in ожидании the end of the war and a crisis of power on Vyorstka’s website (with VPN):

Link not working? Read here.

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“Jackals Have Gathered to the Smell of Blood”: How Russian Elites Are Living in Anticipation of the End of the War and a Crisis of Power

Officials are taking their children abroad, fearing criminal cases and the loss of their jobs under the next government