18 August 2026

The Kremlin has built a seemingly perfect machine of total control. But how does the “Vertical of Power” actually function on the inside, and why is this engineered prison far more fragile than it appears?

Welcome to HOW RUSSIA WORKS — Episode 1.
This new investigative series goes beyond the daily news cycle to deconstruct the hidden machinery of the Russian state. We analyze the Kremlin system, oligarchic pacts, state power structures, and the lived reality of the economy. If you want to understand the deeper architecture behind the propaganda, this series is your insider guide.

In this inaugural episode, we break down:

The history and origins of the vertikal vlasti (Vertical of Power).

How regional autonomy and independent business were systematically crushed.

The illusion of control: Why a system designed for absolute dominance can collapse overnight.

I’m Konstantin Samoilov, a Russian in exile and creator of Inside Russia community. I talk to people inside the country every day, follow the numbers and the mood, study Russia under microscope and share my findings with the world. No hype — just facts. Sources: open public data and reporting (Russia Today, MinFin, CBR, Rosstat, business press). This video is commentary and analysis for information/education only and follows YouTube community guidelines.