By Arudhi Verma
Russians are protesting against Putin. And this includes the clergies, oligarchs and the citizens. War was a terrible idea!
The war in Ukraine has put Putin in a very tight spot. Apart from failure to win the military operation in the ex-Soviet nation, Russian President Vladimir Putin is now facing a major challenge on domestic front. The war has, most likely, caused Putin his popularity in Russia.
Back in home, Vladimir Putin is facing a massive resentment. It looks like Putin’s presidency is slipping off his hands. This sets Putin in a difficult position to be in- one where he is surrounded by critics from outside and within the border.
Protests in 151 cities against- Russians protesting against Putin
More than 15,000 people have erupted in protests from more than 150 cities in Russia. Not against the West, EU or Ukraine but Vladimir Putin.
More than 7,500 people took to street to condemn Putin’s military action in Ukraine within the first week of war alone. What is remarkable is the range of people standing against their president in Russia. From primary school students to pensioners, protests in Russia are not motivated by any single age group of citizens.
However, the government figures put light on the other side of the picture where massive number of Russians also stand in Putin’s support.
According to Dmitry Peskov, “level of support for the president, for his decisions, and his actions is very, very high”. To quote number released by VTsIOM polling agency, 68% Russians support Putin’s actions in Ukraine. However, it is to be noted that the agency is right leaning body.
Unhappy elites on economic and political front
Putin’s problems would have been mild if the resentment was limited to the public front. What makes matter worse than Russians protesting against Putin is the disapproval that he faces from Russian oligarchs- said to his reign’s backbones.
Sanctions by West have left the wealthiest of Russians very unpleasant with their president. Mikhail Fridman and Oleg Deripaska, well-known Russian oligarchs, publicly took stand to restore peace in Ukraine.
While demanding for peace might not be a direct stand against Putin, in a country like Russia ruled by a dictator, talking opposite to Putin’s agenda is itself a big enough rebellion.
Another such rebellion was reported by Lukoil, the largest oil company in Russia. Lukoil too publicly demanded for peace in Ukraine.
Putin’s problems doesn’t end here. He faces criticism at political front too. One of the early and strongest rebellion came on March 23 when the architect of Russia’s post-Communist economy Anatoly Chubais protested against Putin.
Chubais was regarded as one of the closest ally of Russian president before he turned against him after Ukraine war.
The protests also include other political officials like Russian delegate at UN climate conference and Russian adviser to the World Bank.
Resentment from clergies of Russia
Another very important sect of Russian society that seems to be against Putin is the clergies. After the war broke out, more than 280 members of Russian Orthodox Church signed an open letter for “the cessation of the fratricidal war.”
These Russian Orthodox Church members come from Russia, Ukraine and other parts of the world.
From scientists to sportsmen and celebrities, Russian media is everyday featuring famous figures condemning war in Ukraine.
What really is the truth?
Despite the condemnation and resentment, it is still not clear which side of story is true. West, on one hand, is running anti-Putin campaigns, highlighting the unhappy Russian population.
Since the war broke out in Ukraine, Russia and Vladimir Putin have been painted in a uniform manner in the West- a nation with predatory leader that destroyed the sovereign land of Ukraine.
However, it is not only the Russian and Western media that differ in narrative. Russia itself is facing conflicting reportage when it comes to pro-government and anti-government groups.
The pro-government media in Russia are whitewashing Putin’s war as an effort to protect and realign the ethnic identity of Soviet.
These pro-government campaigns have gone so far that the words like “war” and “invasion” have been banned in the country. Furthermore, independent news outlets have been seized and shut down.
But despite all the desperate attempts by Putin administration, Russians continue to condemn the military atrocities in Ukraine and Russia president can see it. The trouble for Putin is real.
The post Why Vladimir Putin Is On The Verge Of Losing Presidency — Explained appeared first on DKODING.
Source: Why Vladimir Putin Is On The Verge Of Losing Presidency — Explained
Category: NEWSLINE, russia, Russia Ukraine War, ukraine, Vladimir Putin
