Russia shaken by 'capital bombing' as opposition criticizes prolonged war

Russia is experiencing a shift in public sentiment and internal political discourse as Ukraine's aerial attacks escalate, striking deep into Russian territory.

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Russia's economy will not be able to withstand the prolonged special military operation (war in Ukraine).

The war, now in its third year, is increasingly being questioned by figures within Russia's political landscape. Renat Suleymanov, a State Duma deputy from the Communist Party, recently stated that the Russian economy cannot sustain a prolonged conflict. He pointed to the significant portion of the national budget allocated to defense and security, questioning the possibility of development and investment. Suleymanov urged for a swift end to the war, noting it has already surpassed the duration of the Great Patriotic War (World War II).

This rare, sharp criticism of President Vladimir Putin comes from a political system where opposition parties often align with the ruling party's stance. While initially a hardliner advocating for Ukrainian surrender, Suleymanov has recently softened his tone. Gennady Zyuganov, chairman of the Communist Party, also issued a stark warning, referencing the 1917 revolution and suggesting that without urgent financial and economic measures, Russia could face similar upheaval.

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40% of the government budget is for defense and security. What development and investment can we talk about? The swift end of the war is truly necessary.

Public opinion appears to be wavering, with President Putin's job approval rating dropping significantly from its peak. Searches for "how to leave Russia" have reportedly doubled. This unrest is linked to the war's evolution into a long-range aerial conflict. While Russia previously conducted daily drone and missile attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine has retaliated with similar intensity against Russian cities like Moscow. The effectiveness of Ukraine's new drones, which operate day and night and are difficult to detect, is a growing concern for Russia. Furthermore, Russian energy facilities, crucial for its export revenue, have been repeatedly targeted, with reports suggesting that at least 40% of Russia's oil export capacity has been disrupted.

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If the government does not take urgent financial, economic, and other measures, we will face what happened in 1917 by this fall.

On the ground, Russian advances have slowed, partly due to the widespread use of drones by both sides, hindering large-scale troop movements. Compounding these issues, Russia's communication capabilities have been hampered by the blocking of its Starlink satellite internet access, a move that has reportedly caused a significant, albeit temporary, degradation of its military effectiveness in Ukraine. Ukraine, meanwhile, claims to have recaptured 400 square kilometers of territory this year and is using its perceived stronger position, including enhanced long-range strike capabilities, to lobby for increased Western aid.

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These drones operate day and night, are silent except for the last few seconds of their dive towards the target, are not detected by sensors, and are not affected by jamming.