Putin Faces Elite Dissent and Wealth Exodus Amid Growing Revolt Fears

Senior members of Russia’s political and financial elite are publicly questioning the cost of the war in Ukraine and urging an end to the conflict. German Gref, head of Sberbank, has called for a cease‑fire, accusing the Kremlin of sacrificing the economy for a humiliating peace settlement. Wealthy Russians, including fertilizer magnate Andrei Melnicenko, have reportedly moved tens of billions of dollars abroad, fearing a collapse of Putin’s regime.

In response to perceived internal threats, security around Putin’s Valdai residence has been dramatically reinforced with 26‑27 modern air‑defence systems and a National Guard force of about 400,000 troops equipped with heavy weapons and tanks. Analysts link the heightened security to fears of a possible revolt within the Kremlin. Recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil facilities and the e‑commerce platform Wildberries have disrupted fuel supplies, adding to elite discontent. Analysts such as Jason Smart warn that the combination of elite financial flight and reinforced security signals a high risk of internal violence in Russia.