Putin Faces Coup Fears Amid Rising Moscow Turmoil

By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

The Kremlin is gripped by paranoia as Vladimir Putin faces economic instability and rising internal dissent.

Fears of a coup have resurfaced, driven by a lack of a clear successor and the regime’s growing sense of vulnerability.

The FSB recently launched a criminal case against exiled businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky and 22 anti-war committee members. They are accused of plotting a violent seizure of power, a move intended to discredit opposition and tighten Putin’s control.

Russia’s economy is showing severe strain, with warnings of a potential recession and soaring interest rates. The risk of a systemic financial crisis is now a primary concern for Moscow as businesses struggle to survive.

International sanctions are increasingly impacting critical oil revenues, especially with new U.S. measures. Shifting purchasing patterns from India and China are further hindering the state’s ability to fund its ongoing military operations.

Insiders describe a state of “panic” in the Kremlin as Russia feels the full weight of its global isolation. This instability is heightened by the memory of the 2023 Wagner mutiny, which exposed significant cracks in leadership.

The crackdown on “internal enemies” serves as a distraction from battlefield setbacks and domestic economic failures. By targeting high-profile figures, the Kremlin aims to frame Russia as a nation under siege by Western-backed traitors.

A major source of anxiety for the elite remains the lack of a designated successor to Putin. Analysts warn that any sudden leadership change could trigger a chaotic and violent power struggle among various government factions.

Despite efforts to project strength, rising domestic dissent suggests that public patience is finally wearing thin. The world remains watchful as Putin navigates one of the most precarious and volatile periods of his long rule.