Fear of losing power: Putin prepares for a possible coup due to Russia’s weakness

With Vladimir Putin’s rise to power, Russia has become a totalitarian state, and the dictator himself is increasingly wary of losing control of the country. Experts say the fear of a coup is a sign of the weakness of his regime.

This is reported by The Telegraph .

Journalists write that Russia’s FSB has accused former businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who now lives in London, and 22 members of the Russian Anti-War Committee of allegedly preparing a coup. The secret service said that the committee is planning a “violent seizure of power and the overthrow of the constitutional order.”

Analysts view such accusations as a manifestation of Putin’s fear of domestic opponents.

“The Kremlin is paranoid. Putin is looking for enemies to strengthen his regime,” said former US Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst.

After the assassination of the leader of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in 2023, which ended in his death, the Kremlin tightened security measures and control over military structures.

Khodorkovsky, who spent ten years in a Russian prison, emigrated to Europe and founded the Anti-War Committee in 2022. He denies any involvement in military actions against the Kremlin.

“A prime minister appointed by Putin, courts and a parliament whose legitimacy is questionable – this is the reality of Russia,” Khodorkovsky said.

Analysts say Putin’s fear may stem from the lack of a clear successor in the event of his death or removal from power. The Kremlin is trying to discredit the opposition to avoid possible destabilization.

Angela Stent of Georgetown University emphasized: “The regime wants to show that the West is trying to divide Russia.” Moscow uses such information campaigns whenever tensions rise within the country.

Separately, journalists note that Russia’s economic weakness increases the risks for the ruling regime. According to Thomas Keating of the Royal Joint Institute for Defense Studies, it is this vulnerability that may push external players to take more active actions against Moscow.

“Xi Jinping can stop the war and collapse the Russian economy if he wants,” Khodorkovsky said.

Against the backdrop of these events, the European Union approved the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, aimed at restricting the activities of enterprises that support the military industry of the aggressor state. The new restrictions also affected the banking sector, energy, and cryptocurrency transactions.

Recall that the administration of US President Donald Trump has prepared a new package of sanctions against Russia . Restrictions may be applied to the banking sector and oil infrastructure if the Kremlin does not end the war in Ukraine.

It is worth adding that Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries, as well as the upcoming tax hike, are creating additional pressure on the Russian economy, provoking inflation . Because of this, the Central Bank of Russia may abandon plans to lower the discount rate.

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