Arrests, deaths and Putin’s silence: Russian elite drowns in fear and betrayal
фотоколаж: facebook З.Казанжи
Tensions are mounting in Russian power circles, with high-profile arrests, mysterious deaths, and criminal cases involving even the elite. The latest incident, the suicide of former transport minister and ex-governor of Kursk Oblast, Roman Starovoit, has stunned the highest echelons of power.
This is reported by The Telegraph.
“It looks catastrophic,” said an anonymous former official from the Russian presidential administration. “Arrests, deaths, compromising material… Everything is falling apart from within.”
Starovoit, 53, committed suicide on July 7 while under investigation for large-scale financial fraud. His former deputy, Alexei Smirnov, reportedly gave testimony that could complicate the ex-governor’s case.
The ruling elite seemed to be frozen in fear. “What’s really strange is the complete silence from the president,” the source added. “No public sympathy, neither from Putin nor from the prime minister. This is a clear signal.”
The wave of repression continues unabated: former high-ranking officials are given long prison sentences, and fatal falls from windows have become an ominous symbol of the era. For example, Transneft vice-president Andrei Badalov died after falling from a balcony, and billionaire Konstantin Strukov’s private plane was forced to turn back when he tried to leave Russian territory.
“The playing field has changed radically,” says Alexandra Prokopenko, a Carnegie Center expert and former employee of the Central Bank of Russia. “Now it doesn’t matter who is behind you. The question is not about power — it’s about caution.”
The Kremlin is immersed in an atmosphere of general distrust and anxiety. One current government official, quoted by the publication, admits:
“I avoid any risky topics. We’re all in our own mini-fortresses, trying not to stand out.”
Recall that Putin instructed the Russian government to develop mechanisms to restrict the use of messengers and software from “unfriendly countries” by September 1, 2025. WhatsApp may become the next victim of the ban, and the new Max messenger from VK is turning into a tool of total digital control.
As reported, Russia has stopped publishing population figures, births, deaths, marriages, and divorces since July, in order to avoid drawing attention to the demographic crisis.
In addition, the largest Russian banks, including Sberbank and VTB, have begun preparing for a debt crisis.
Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , Twitter , Telegram , and Instagram.