05/26/2025
Russia has no plans to end the war against Ukraine, despite personnel, technical and economic difficulties. At the same time, the topic of a possible successor to Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin is taboo in his inner circle.
This was stated by the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Oleh Ivashchenko, in an interview with Ukrinform. According to Ivashchenko, the Kremlin views war as a tool for maintaining power, economic mobilization, and ideological control .
“Russia is not going to stop this war. In their minds, they are restoring the Soviet Union with the hands of the army. They are creating new districts and divisions. To be precise, 13 divisions. Yes, they have problems – they lack people and equipment. But every day – 1,000-1,200 new contract soldiers. This is not mobilization for peace, but preparation for something bigger. Why? It’s the economy. Now the military-industrial complex is their only industry that demonstrates growth. If it stops – the entire Russian economy will crack. And this is an ideology based on fear and enemies around. For the Kremlin, war is a tool to maintain power. And this is a threat to Ukraine and the entire civilized world,” he said.
At the same time, according to the head of intelligence, the Russian president is often not provided with objective information about the situation in the country and on the front. Reports are “filtered” and presented in a soft form.
“Today, all ideas are generated by the leader, the rest of his entourage are executors. We see that there are things that Putin is afraid to say. We have come to the conclusion that he is not being provided with information about the real state of affairs in the economy and war. Reports are given in such a light form, without an emphasis on further possible consequences. That is why there are decisions that are surprising to the world,” he explained.
Regarding the situation around Putin, Ivashchenko claims that there is no real discussion about a change of power or a successor – this topic is forbidden in the Kremlin.
“This topic is forbidden in the first person’s environment. There is fear for their positions, families, and close circle. Perhaps the first person has some thoughts, but they are not voiced, this topic is not raised,” he said.
Regarding potential domestic protests in Russia, the SZRU estimates the protest potential at 18–20%. However, there are currently no real prerequisites for large-scale destabilization. Dissatisfaction in the regions, particularly in the Caucasus, is mostly directed at local authorities, not Putin.
“There is no such thing as someone criticizing the first person. The entire territory of Russia is under a regime, there are a large number of FSB and Rosgvardia employees there, who are doing their job accordingly,” he summed up.
As a reminder, on the night of May 24-25, Russia launched its largest combined drone and missile strike on Ukraine since the beginning of the year, resulting in destruction and casualties. In this way, the Kremlin, against the backdrop of its own aggressive rhetorical statements and excessive US pessimism about the situation on the front lines, is trying to undermine the morale of Ukrainians and convince the West of the inevitability of “Russia’s victory” and the futility of supporting Kyiv.
“At the same time, according to the head of intelligence, the Russian president is often not provided with objective information about the situation in the country and on the front. Reports are “filtered” and presented in a soft form.”
It’s always like this with dictators. This makes it easier for their enemies to defeat them.
“Ivashchenko claims that there is no real discussion about a change of power or a successor – this topic is forbidden in the Kremlin.”
That’s good, if true. Having no successor makes it easier for the cesspool to collapse when the runt goes to hell.
“…the SZRU estimates the protest potential at 18–20%.”
The vast majority of mafia land’s people are used to being slaves and will never do anything to change their plight.
I can imagine these ‘filtered’ reports state everything is going to the plan Vlad. I believe these massive strikes on Ukraine over the weekend are a final hurrah for mafia land. They obviously know the havoc and destruction that will result from these long range strikes, especially the missiles that have a range further than moscow.
I was secretly hoping to see Ukraine’s own weapons doing the hard-hitting long-range strikes.
Yeah, that would be great, but I won’t complain if it’s Taurus or Storm Shadows wreaking havoc.
“Now the military-industrial complex is their only industry that demonstrates growth. If it stops – the entire Russian economy will crack.”
How long can a country spend all it’s money on equipment that is being destroyed at an alarming rate? What happens when Ukraine start taking out oil refineries again? No country is supporting mafia land financially, unlike Ukraine that has wealthy countries backing it.