Putin Bolsters 400,000-Strong National Guard as Elite Dissent Fuels Mutiny Fears
Updated
Updated · Kyiv Post · Aug 2
Putin Bolsters 400,000-Strong National Guard as Elite Dissent Fuels Mutiny Fears
1 articles · Updated · Kyiv Post · Aug 2
Summary
Russia has reinforced security around Putin’s Valdai residence with 27 air-defense systems and expanded the 400,000-strong National Guard with tanks and other heavy weapons.
The buildup follows rare public criticism from insiders and oligarchs as Ukraine’s drone strikes disrupt oil facilities, trade and fuel supplies, pushing wealthy Russians to move tens of billions of dollars abroad.
German Gref reportedly urged an end to the war, while billionaire Andrey Melnichenko appealed to the West for economic support—an unusual sign of fractures inside Putin’s circle.
Pressure is also spreading beyond the Kremlin: Kazakhstan’s Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged Putin to freeze the war, and state TV host Vladimir Solovyov warned on air about evacuations, interceptor shortages and deeper missile strikes.
Even as analysts say factions are preparing for a post-Putin struggle, Putin publicly repeated in St. Petersburg that Russia “did not start any war.”