Rumors of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s death have been circulating for months, but they gained new traction in late October when a mysterious Telegram channel called “General SVR” and Valery Solovey, a prominent Russian political analyst, claimed that the answer is yes.
Both General SVR and Solovey have provided detailed accounts of Putin’s supposed death, but there is no concrete evidence to support their claims. As a result, few Russian or Western analysts believe them.
However, Solovey is a credible source. He is a former professor at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations and has a long history of providing accurate analysis of Russian politics. He is also known for his biting sense of humor and his willingness to speak truth to power.
So why is Solovey making such a sensational claim? There are two possibilities.
Possibility 1: Solovey is trying to sow confusion and delegitimize Putin.
If Solovey really believes that Putin is dead, he may be trying to spread the news in order to sow confusion in the ranks of Russian elites and among ordinary Russians. He may also be hoping to undermine Putin’s legitimacy by raising doubts about his health and existence.
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This would be a risky strategy, but it could have a significant impact on Russian politics. With Russia’s presidential elections scheduled for March 2024, popular doubt about Putin’s health and existence can only complicate the Kremlin’s plans regarding just who should run and what margin of victory should there be.
Possibility 2: Solovey is a mouthpiece for establishment elites who are trying to delegitimize Putin.
If Solovey is not telling the truth about Putin’s death, it is also possible that he is a mouthpiece for establishment elites who are trying to delegitimize the president. These elites may be unhappy with Putin’s handling of the war in Ukraine or with his increasingly authoritarian rule.
If this is the case, it is a sign that the post-Putin power struggle has already begun, even if Putin himself is still alive. It also suggests that there is a significant crack within the Russian elite, which could lead to instability in the country in the coming months and years.
Whichever possibility is true, the rumors of Putin’s death are clearly a sign that he is in serious trouble. Hundreds of thousands of Russians have read General SVR’s and Solovey’s claims, and many more are discussing them. Seeds of doubt about Putin have been planted, and they will be difficult to remove.
Analysis:
The article does a good job of presenting the two main possibilities for why Solovey and General SVR are making the claim that Putin is dead. It also provides a good overview of the potential implications of this claim, both for Putin himself and for Russian politics as a whole.
The article is well-written and informative, and it is clear that the author has a good understanding of Russian politics. The author also does a good job of presenting the two main possibilities in a balanced and objective way.
Overall, the article is a well-written and informative analysis of a complex and sensitive topic. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the current state of Russian politics.
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