Kursk operation could be key to ending war, Putin's dictatorship, and Ruscism

The well-known Russian opposition publicist Alexander Nevzorov published sensational news: last Thursday, August 15, the Russian dictator's inner circle considered the option of transferring power to the current prime minister. Or to the new Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.

A logical question immediately arises for any sensible person: why now, given that there is no direct threat to the ruling regime or the country? On the contrary, while Ukrainian leaders were arguing over who was more impressive in 2023, the strategic initiative on the front shifted to the hands of the Russian forces.

Recent developments in the Kursk region and the Ukrainian breakthrough into Russian territory up to 40 kilometers deep still don't mean much in the broader context.

Yes, "the khokhly" (Russia's derogatory term for Ukrainians ed.) have encroached upon the "sacred" Russian land, which is protected by nuclear weapons according to the Ruscist constitution. However, they will receive their due punishment even without nuclear weapons, which are not yet necessary. As they recently faced in the Kharkiv direction and are currently experiencing in Donbas, everything is proceeding according to plan!

So why would they suddenly remove a man who has become a symbol of new Russian greatness, success, and victories without any obvious reason?

Under his rule, for the first time, Russians have experienced a standard of living beyond just cabbage soup and dumplings. Today, the average salaries and pensions of ordinary Russians are three times higher than those of Ukrainians. While this may not be entirely due to the brilliance of Russian managers, but rather a result of favorable hydrocarbon markets, they still played a role in this improvement.

Skeptics, including the author, have their own answer to this. And I hope that answer is no less convincing.

Putin has turned his country into a concentration camp, where residents are brainwashed by hateful, anti-human propaganda. Criticism of the government, the military, and security services is strictly forbidden. This situation now resembles Stalinist terror, where regime opponents were either executed, poisoned, or exiled.

Through its aggressive policies and annexation of neighboring sovereign territories, Putin's Russia has become a pariah in global politics, a state sponsor of terrorism.

Silent conformists, the Russians are subjected to the harsh press of collective responsibility for crimes committed during their leader's rule.

Putin has expanded and brought NATO borders 1,500 kilometers closer, while promising his fearful population to push NATO's borders back to the early 1990s.

The country has lost $350 billion in sovereign reserves held in foreign banks, which are now frozen as compensation for its aggressive policies, genocide, repression, and violations of international agreements and treaties.

Capital flight from the country is now measured in hundreds of billions of dollars.

Transforming into a military concentration camp where propaganda has long replaced the truth, Russia has lost its science and high-tech industries. Its industry is now incapable of producing even a nail independently.

Russia has essentially become fully dependent on China, and even pariahs like North Korea and Iran have become Russian suppliers, providing modern weaponry.

In recent years, Russia has lost its largest oil and gas market in Europe, as well as markets for metals, timber, and coal.

The country has lost a generation of skilled workers (up to a million Russians) who contributed to its added value.

Putin has convinced Russia that Ukrainians are nationalists and traitors, the primary enemies of Russians. The behavior of Russian troops as ruthless terrorists in occupied Ukrainian territories shows that he has persuaded his citizens. Now, Russia will remain a bitter enemy of Ukraine for a long time.

Yes, raising salaries and pensions for the country's residents is a significant social step. But why transform one's own citizens into a submissive, silent, and extremely aggressive herd in the process?

Undoubtedly, these dubious "achievements" of President Putin weigh heavily on all Russians, especially on the current ruling establishment. They will eventually have to answer for their complicity and silent support. They understand this, but they do not want to face the consequences. Thus, they are gradually pushing their leader towards resignation, hoping to shift all their sins onto him in the future.

This contradiction between future responsibility and present material, financial, and status success will determine the development of Russian autocracy, ranging from physical destruction to eternal curses for several generations. And which is better?

The Kursk breakthrough by Ukrainian forces, which exposed the rot of Putin's repressive machinery, could be the trigger that brings colossal changes to the last empire. It might be, or it might not. We are discussing the logic of event development and the foundations upon which it will be based. The only question is when.

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About the author. Viktor Moroz, Ukrainian publicist, columnist

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.