‘Grandpa in a bunker’: is Putin losing control?

The episode focuses on the deteriorating situation surrounding Vladimir Putin's administration as the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year. Piotr Sauer, a Russian affairs reporter for The Guardian, discusses how recent Kremlin propaganda, including a staged public appearance with Putin meeting his school teacher, reveals the leader's attempts to manage his image in light of increasing reports of paranoia and isolation. Public sentiment in Russia is shifting unfavorably towards Putin, with polls suggesting a decline in approval ratings and rising calls for political protests. The staggering death toll of Russian soldiers, with nearly half a million lost, has contributed to public outrage and fatigue over the protracted conflict. Despite claims of success from the Kremlin, many Russians have lost faith in the war effort as recruitment numbers dwindle. Discussions delve into the impact of internet censorship, the symbolism of Victory Day celebrations being scaled back, and the economic implications of the war on ordinary citizens and the elite. The episode concludes with reflections on whether Putin is at risk of a coup and the potential for elite dissent against his rule as the situation becomes increasingly untenable.