Russia’s Elites are FED UP With Putin About Ukrainian Strikes

Paul J. Warburg 23 min

Russia's elites are actively working against Vladimir Putin because Ukraine's strikes threaten their personal fortunes. As Ukraine's threats increase, Russia is fracturing into competing factions that may eventually turn on Putin.

  • Vladimir Putin

Chapters

  1. 0:00

    Ukraine's Campaign Against Russian Elites

    Ukraine is targeting Russian infrastructure, industry, and exports to hurt the personal fortunes of Russian elites.

  2. 2:45

    Loss of Final Wealth Options

    Sanctions and attacks have eliminated the last ways for elites to profit from the Russian population.

  3. 3:50

    Historical Precedent of Elite Betrayal

    History shows that elites often turn against leaders when victory seems impossible and their wealth is threatened. Russian billionaires are sociopaths driven solely by personal wealth and power, not ideology or loyalty.

  4. 8:23

    Erosion of Putin's Control Mechanisms

    Putin's ability to control elites through fear and coercion is breaking down as their wealth evaporates.

  5. 10:58

    Active Resistance from Russian Bankers

    Russian bankers are refusing government demands, canceling bond auctions, and protecting their own interests.

  6. 13:30

    Capital Flight and Asset Seizure Threats

    Elites are moving billions abroad while facing direct threats of asset confiscation from the Kremlin. Russia is splitting into competing interest groups and independent fiefdoms as central authority weakens.

Key points

  • 0:00

    Ukraine has been hitting Russian infrastructure and Russian industry like never before.

  • 0:00

    The siege of Crimea cut off fuel to resorts owned by oligarchs during peak vacation season.

  • 0:00

    Strikes on refineries caused massive fuel shortages that hurt profits for elites selling refined products.

  • 0:00

    Sieging the Sea of Azov and Black Sea reduced profits for international oil, gas, and grain exports.

  • 0:00

    Attacks on Wildberries facilities are burning across Russia, leaving elites unsure how to continue making profits.

  • 2:45

    Sanctions have eliminated internal options for elites to profit from the Russian population.

  • 2:45

    Elites who once profited from money printing now see those options evaporating before their eyes.

  • 3:50

    History shows elites plotting against leaders when victory fails and personal fortunes are at risk.

  • 8:23

    Putin's control mechanisms are eroding as elites perceive him as a threat to their ends.

  • 10:58

    Russian bankers have canceled bond auctions because they refuse to pay the price demanded by the central bank.

  • 13:30

    Tens of billions of dollars equivalent in rubles are leaving Russia every single year.

  • 13:30

    The Kremlin is ramping up efforts to seize assets of billionaires deemed disrupted.

Who and where

People · 1

  • Drawing of Vladimir Putin

    Vladimir Putin 30

    President of the Russian Federation

    Photo 1

1. Photo: Пресс-служба Президента России, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Wikidata · redrawn in our house style (Vladimir Putin)

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