Russia faces 'total chaos' as lawmaker warns of social explosion

Russia stands on the brink of "social explosion" and "total chaos" if President Vladimir Putin does not end the war in Ukraine, a prominent opposition lawmaker has warned. Vyacheslav Markhayev, a former police general and member of the Communist Party, issued a stark critique of Putin's regime, urging the authorities to "come to their senses."

Markhayev, 71, condemned the ongoing conflict, stating that young Russians are being sent to their deaths due to Putin's "obsession" with the war. He pointed to the recent death of an 18-year-old soldier born in 2008 as a tragic example of the human cost. The lawmaker drew a parallel between the actions of the current Russian authorities and an invading enemy, accusing them of plundering the nation's resources and industries.

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What would an external enemy do if they occupied Russia? They would grab resources, plunder industry, raise tariffs, and build villas for themselves. But the invasion did not happen – the authorities did it themselves, and more effectively than any aggressor.

According to Markhayev, Russia has seen no real achievements under Putin's rule, apart from the personal enrichment of elites. He noted a record 155 Russian billionaires with combined assets nearly double the federal budget. Meanwhile, pensioners struggle to afford basic utilities, spending 55 percent of their meager incomes on them, while the state allegedly diverts funds to support the extravagant lifestyles of the super-rich.

The lawmaker, who voted against the annexation of Ukrainian territories in 2022, also highlighted rampant corruption, multi-billion dollar thefts, and significant losses among the active population. He expressed concern over escalating Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian positions and infrastructure, suggesting that the initial goals of "denazification and demilitarization" have devolved into mere territorial expansion. Markhayev fears that if the situation persists, the West could exploit the ensuing chaos to dismantle what remains of Russian statehood.

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Putin's team has been in power for a quarter of a century and seems to have largely lost touch with the needs of the people.