Incursion in Sudzha may signal a shift in Russian elite loyalty
The incursion of Ukrainian soldiers into part of the border territory of the Russian Federation may have significant consequences for Vladimir Putin. The local elites who support the dictator are starting to have enough of him. News from Moscow leaves no doubts—independent media have reported this.
On August 9, 2024, the Ukrainian army posted a video online showing that they managed to cross the border and take control of the town of Sudzha in the Kursk region. One of the advisors to the President of Ukraine anonymously stated in "The Washington Post" that they seized a gas measurement station, from which gas is sent to Europe.
About 1,000 soldiers were said to be involved in the action. The event will go down in history because it is the first time since 1941 that foreign troops have invaded Russian territory. This news did not escape Russian media attention.
From the newspaper "The Moscow Times," it can be learned that the swift and surprisingly effective enemy assault caused considerable turmoil among the national elites. Top government officials and entrepreneurs around Vladimir Putin felt disappointed that the border security turned out to be illusory.
They do not hide the fact that the Russian intelligence failed to rise to the occasion and made a mistake at a difficult moment. Such a reaction can be treated as a partial loss of confidence in the president. Also, considering that not long ago the rhetoric was completely different.
Russian elites talked about an attack on NATO countries. Did Ukrainians change their perspective?
"The Moscow Times" reports that the Russian elites seriously discussed another military operation. It would be directed at NATO countries located in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea.
There was speculation that forces under the 71-year-old politician’s leadership could attempt to take over a strategically located city like Narva in Estonia. In the face of what the Ukrainian Armed Forces achieved, such a prospect seems unrealistic or much more distant.
For the most important person in Russia, the elites' withdrawal of faith in the policies he is pushing could mean significant trouble, and the price could be a quicker end to the war in Ukraine. As reported by Bloomberg, the establishment has been tired of the prolonged conflict for some time.
