The increase in Russian losses on the front over the past week and the gasoline shortage caused by Ukraine’s successful strikes on Russian oil infrastructure are forcing the Russian authorities to tighten control over society even further in order to suppress discontent.
This was stated at a weekly briefing at the Estonian Ministry of Defence by Colonel Ants Kiviselg, head of the Defence Forces Intelligence Centre, Ukrinform reports, citing ERR.
The intelligence chief drew attention to the energy crisis affecting the whole of Russia. Last week, Ukraine intensified it further with new strikes on energy sector facilities.
“Although the Russian authorities are trying to publicly portray the energy crisis as a temporary phenomenon that will pass quickly, the damage inflicted by Ukraine is extensive and will persist for a long time,” Kiviselg emphasized.
The head of the Defence Forces Intelligence Centre stressed the “growing social tension in Russian society” and a “visibly declining popularity” for Russian leader Vladimir Putin. In his opinion, this may likely affect the course of the State Duma elections, which will take place in September.
