Russian elites

Feygin outlines two critical factors that could force Putin into genuine peace talks

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will only engage in genuine peace negotiations if U.S. President Donald Trump shifts his stance to fully support Ukraine and the war begins to significantly destabilize Russia's internal situation, Russian opposition politician and lawyer Mark Feygin told Radio NV on July 28.

29 July, 09:51 AM

Russian elites get VIP access to gasoline while ordinary drivers wait

Amid fuel crisis, a number of Russian gas stations have begun prioritizing civil servants, state employees, and emergency services for refueling, while the rest of the drivers are forced to stand in long queues, The Moscow Times reported on July 2.

3 July, 10:30 AM

Putin lacks war exit strategy as inner circle faces paralysis — The Telegraph

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin operates without a clear plan to end the war in Ukraine, while his deeply isolated inner circle lacks the power to remove him from office, The Telegraph wrote on May 18, citing a leaked internal document.

19 May, 01:57 PM

Putin tightens security as Kremlin weighs coup threat from Shoigu

The Kremlin sees Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu as a potential coup threat because of his continued influence over Russia’s military command, Russian investigative outlet Important Stories reported, citing an EU intelligence report.

4 May, 12:18 PM

Putin surrounds himself with aging generals, shutting out younger voices

Russia is turning into a regime where the younger generation has no influence, as Kremlin rule now dominated by old guard, The Times wrote on Sept. 14.

15 September 2025, 08:05 AM

Russian elites continue to receive Serbian passports with EU access — investigation

Russian elites continue to receive Serbian passports during the war in Ukraine, gaining visa-free access to the EU, according to an investigation by Important Stories on April 16.

16 April 2025, 01:39 PM

How Russia’s poor are benefitting from war while the middle class disappears

In the final installment of NV’s in-depth conversation with exiled Russian economist Igor Lipsits, we explore whether growing economic hardship could eventually spark unrest inside Russia—and why he believes that’s a fantasy. Lipsits breaks down the uneven impact of Putin’s war economy, the burden of occupying Ukrainian territory, and why Russia’s future may increasingly resemble that of North Korea. He also explains why, despite war damage, Ukraine is better positioned for long-term recovery and growth than its aggressor.

30 March 2025, 02:16 PM

Russian elites