Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has outlined the findings of intelligence reports on the domestic situation in Russia. These reveal a steady rise in dissatisfaction with Putin and a decline in support for his party in the run-up to the parliamentary elections. Protest sentiment in the country’s regions is intensifying, whilst Ukraine’s peace proposals remain unanswered.
- Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for the assistance in gathering intelligence.
- Dissatisfaction with Putin within Russia is growing and is unlikely to subside before September.
- The decline in support for the ruling party means more electoral fraud is needed.
- Anti-government sentiment is growing significantly across Russia’s regions.
Intelligence on the domestic situation in Russia
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked everyone who is helping Ukraine to gather vital intelligence and supporting Ukrainian intelligence operations. For in his words., intelligence agencies have submitted reports assessing the domestic situation in Russia and containing documents that are sent directly to the country’s leadership. Zelenskyy emphasised that even the embellished information received Putin, ... allows us to draw important conclusions.
Growing dissatisfaction with Putin and falling support for the ruling party
The latest figures point to a steady rise in Russians’ dissatisfaction with Putin, which, according to intelligence assessments, cannot be halted or stabilised by September – the time of the parliamentary elections in Russia. Support for the ruling party is showing a steady downward trend, which, as Zelenskyy noted, requires significantly greater levels of electoral fraud to maintain power.
The reports also note a significant rise in anti-government sentiment across various regions of Russia. Zelenskyy pointed out that the reports do not yet take into account potential events that may occur in June, July and August, which could further impact the domestic situation.
The lack of a response to Ukraine’s peace proposals
The Ukrainian president notes that all public and non-public peace proposals Russia’s only response to Ukraine is to continue the war. At the same time, according to Zelenskyy, the domestic situation in Russia points to the need for peace, and Ukraine remains open to negotiations on a dignified peace.
Given the current trends, Zelenskyy suggests that, in time, a peace agreement will have to be concluded with someone else from Russia — someone who does not turn a blind eye to reality.
