Russia Is on Its Way to Collapse

Putin’s authoritarian regime will bear many costs

Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces haven’t made as much progress as they hoped to achieve. As the war dragged on, their hope for swift victory has dissipated.

As a result, Putin’s tactics are becoming more and more brutal.

By international standards, Russia has already committed “war crimes” such as the bombing of residential buildings, schools, hospitals, and maternity wards. Yet, Russian officials don’t hold themselves accountable for their crimes.

They knowingly deny committing such atrocities — over and over again.

The latest horrific bombing of the city of Mariupol, which resulted in three deaths, one of which was a child, had left me speechless.

And once again, we see Russian propaganda brimming in action. In response to condemning the atrocities from the west, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quick to dismiss the claim by saying it was Ukrainians who bombed their empty hospital in an extremist attack after freeing their patients.

He stated that the building was bombed by explosive devices planted nearby to provoke strong anti-Russian sentiments in the West.

Lies of extreme proportions. It’s a disgrace, to say the least.

Since the invasion started, the Russian propaganda war machine has been put into action to justify the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. And for every act of terror on the Russian part, we hear an “excuse” or “justification.” They say it was staged or provoked, they say it was an “accident.” They make all sorts of bullshit lies.

Meanwhile, Russian troops are bombing innocent civilians, killing people, and even children. No one can forget a bloody image of an 18- month old child who died in his father’s arms amid Russian shelling.

Would Sergei Lavrov also say it was staged?

How about civilians screaming in horror from an abrupt bomb explosion nearby and they have to quickly run for their safety? Or refugees who are desperately trying to flee to save their lives but can’t do so for fear of being hit by Russian artillery strikes?

What about people in Mariupol who were supposed to evacuate safely but are now stuck and couldn’t leave due to heavy shelling? Now their city is besieged and they’re trapped in bomb shelters, cut off from food, water, and electricity. At the moment, their basic needs aren’t met, and they’re facing severe shortages of food, water, and medicine.

Not to mention a pregnant Ukrainian woman and her unborn child who have just died followed by the devastating bombing of the maternity ward in Mariupol. A woman who before her death screamed “Kill me” as the doctors were desperately trying to save her and her baby’s life. Sadly, they both didn’t make it.

It’s a tragedy of unfathomable proportions

For those who don’t see it yet, these war crimes epitomize a modern-day genocide of the Ukrainian people.

And of course, Kremlin media has kept these horrific scenes from the public eye. They continue to distort the reality of war with fake statements and accusations.

Every atrocity that Russian forces commit they’ll make sure to cover it up with malicious lies. They’ll justify every scene and make up a story to make it look like it’s not their fault.

Shameful and disgraceful, to say the least.

All this is done so that the Russian people get a skewed reality of the war, to justify further aggression, to stir anti-West and anti-NATO sentiments, and alienate Russia further from the world.

Russia is shooting itself in the foot

What Putin is essentially doing is working against himself. In his mind, he’s doing the “right” and “rational” thing because after all, he’s fulfilling his vision of reunifying the Soviet Union. But little does he realize that the more he lies to his people and fabricates the narratives, the more he’ll set Russian people against the rest of the world.

No country would be able to thrive in an isolated world — not just from an economic perspective, but socially too. Being out of touch with the world would hurt many citizens in the long run.

He’s already cut off Russian people from many amenities of life they used to enjoy, shut down independent media outlets and social channels. How long will Russian people put up with that?

I fear nothing good will come under Putin’s new authoritarian Russia. Feeding Russian people lies over and over will only isolate them further from their world.

Russian people wouldn’t want to continue living in their own bubble for so long. It won’t be long before they begin to feel just how disconnected they are from the rest of the world. The feeling and fear of isolation will soon hit them hard.

Putin doesn’t care much about being isolated, and neither do Kremlin officials who work for him. But ordinary Russian people will care. I’m sure for many it won’t be easy to adapt to a drastic change of lifestyle.

Losing their livelihoods is going to sting many people in long run. The feelings of resentment will ensue.

And a “new” authoritarian Russia, as Putin envisioned for himself, is only going to hurt the country down the road. No sane Russian would want to live under new rules and draconian measures. The resentment, although not obvious in the beginning, would grow and eventually spill over into fury and discontent of Russian citizens. Civil panic and social unrest will likely follow.

People will migrate to other countries

The stark reality of Putin’s authoritarian regime would have many Russians worry about their future and their safety in their country.

Tens of thousands of Russians who are against war and feel outraged by Putin’s brutality, have already fled to Istanbul, Turkey. Others fled to other countries- Armenia, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.

And more will follow once people start realizing their livelihoods are in jeopardy. Those who can see the rise of corruption and moral degradation through the cracks would no longer want to stay in their country.

What does it mean for Putin?

His rise to authoritarianism will bear many costs. It won’t be easy for him and his cronies. It will cost his country not only economic stability but social stability as well. In one way or another, he’ll pay a price for his actions.

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