The 'cornered rat': Why a cornered Putin is the biggest danger to Ukraine and the West

Russia is grappling with mounting economic and political tensions, as the war's costs increasingly impact daily life for its citizens. Fuel shortages and rising prices are becoming visible problems, with long queues forming at gas stations in Moscow and other regions.

Ukrainian drone strikes targeting energy infrastructure have exacerbated the situation. According to Novaya Gazeta, 31 of Russia's 38 major refineries have been hit since the start of the year. This has led to fuel supply problems in at least 78 of the country's 83 regions. Igor Karpov, a 61-year-old engineer and businessman from Moscow, described spending six hours in line to refuel his SUV, ironically comparing it to the Soviet era's rationing system.

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I saw a great energy superpower in action. But I should be grateful – queuing for gasoline made me feel young again.

These daily inconveniences highlight how the conflict is affecting ordinary Russians. Reports from Telegram show extensive traffic jams in the Krasnodar region and severe supply issues in Dagestan, Tuva, and other remote areas. The analysis suggests that a cornered Vladimir Putin, facing these internal pressures, could react in unpredictable and dangerous ways, posing a significant threat to Ukraine and the West.

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In the 80s, when I bought my first car, we had to wait all night and buy ration coupons on the black market.