Putin faces riots if the war drags on, analyst says
Protesters against mobilization in Moscow, September 21 (Photo:REUTERS)
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin may face open revolt in Russia, and is likely to use the harshest of measures to keep his grip on power, a Ukrainian political expert has told NV.
In an interview with NV on Sept. 23, political scientist Mykola Davydyuk described the best-and worst-case scenarios facing the Russian dictator in the near future.
“The worst-case scenario for him would be riots,” said Davydyuk.
“He’s very afraid of that. That’s why he called it a partial mobilisation. It could lead to a coup in Russia – a truly miserable end to Putin’s rule, getting overthrown by your own supporters.
It would be challenging for him to quell riots and mutinies, even if he’s perfectly ready to order rioters to be shot.”
The best outcome Putin can hope for would be seizing the rest of Donbas, declaring victory, and returning to his usual MO of “blackmailing and threatening Ukraine with continuing the war.”
According to Bloomberg, Russia is set to spend 43% more on defense and security next year than the budget initially called for.
Several Russian media later reported that up to 1.2 million men are going to get mobilized, with ethnic minorities across Russia bearing the brunt of the call-up.
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