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Putin is said to be in the "most challenging period" of his nearly 30 years in power amid claims he has become increasingly isolated and paranoid as the conflict grinds on
14:23, Mon, May 25, 2026 Updated: 14:24, Mon, May 25, 2026
A source described as close to Putin suggested that he has "lost faith" in Trump (Image: Getty)
Vladimir Putin faces mounting unrest at home as Russian elites sense "some kind of catastrophe" is looming. As Russia's so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine grinds into its fifth year, Putin is said to be facing the "most challenging period" of his nearly 30-year rule amid claims he is becoming increasingly isolated and paranoid as the war drags on.
A business leader described as "well-connected" told The Guardian: "There's definitely been a shift in mood among the elites this year...there is profound disappointment in Putin", adding that there was a "growing sense that some kind of catastrophe is looming". They continued: "No one believes everything will suddenly collapse tomorrow. But there is a growing realisation that utterly senseless, self-destructive decisions keep being made."
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Putin is said to be facing the "most challenging period" of his nearly 30-year rule (Image: Getty)
They added: "People who once defended Putin no longer do. Any sense of a future has disappeared."
It comes after Putin suggested that the war in Ukraine may soon come to an end. Speaking after a downsized military parade for Victory Day earlier this month, he said: "I think that the matter is coming to an end."
Understandably, such words set headlines alight, but they reportedly indicate no sign of capitulation or compromise. Instead, it's said Putin feels that a battlefield breakthrough could well be on the horizon.
Two insiders were quoted as saying that Putin remains "fixated" on the eastern Donbas region - where the Luhansk oblast is almost completely occupied by Russia - and will not relent until he achieves that aim.
But the embattled Russian leader is being fed "fabricated reports" of looming success, as a Ukrainian intelligence official puts it. Meanwhile, analysts say any such victory is still years off.
Putin is reportedly "fixated" on the eastern Donbas region (Image: Getty)
One source described as close to Putin suggested that he has "lost faith" in Trump's ability to bring Ukraine to heel and make it yield territory in a deal to end the conflict.
US leverage over Ukraine also appears to be waning, with the country securing access to a €90bn EU loan and strengthening ties with Europe on military and intelligence sharing.
Only yesterday, reports emerged that Russia used a hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile in a large-scale attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, alongside drones, killing at least two people.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy maintains that it's the third time that Russia has used the intermediate-range ballistic missile, which is nuclear-capable, in the gruelling conflict.
At least 83 people were wounded in the barrage, which the country's air force claims involved 600 strike drones and 90 missiles.
English (US) · 