British intelligence explains why Putin refuses to hold his annual press conference

This was reported by the British Ministry of Defense on Twitter. 

British intelligence notes that on December 12, the Kremlin confirmed that Vladimir Putin would not hold a traditional press conference at the end of the year. This will be the first time in 10 years that Putin has abandoned this annual event. He also canceled a direct telephone line with his participation earlier. 

"Although questions are almost certainly usually vetted in advance, the cancellation is likely due to increasing concerns about the prevalence of anti-war feelings in Russia. Kremlin officials are almost certainly extremely sensitive about the possibility that any event attended by Putin could be hijacked by unsanctioned discussion about the “special military operation,” the British intelligence concluded. 

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 13 December 2022

Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/mX2eOfZ1Ra

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— Ministry of Defence ???????? (@DefenceHQ) December 13, 2022