What Comes After Putin?

Vladimir Putin’s failed invasion of Ukraine has significantly weakened his once ironclad grip on Russia. The war he initially envisioned as a swift “special military operation” has devolved into a grinding conflict with devastating consequences. Hundred of thousands of Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded, and international sanctions have crippled the economy. Once viewed as formidable, Russia’s military is faltering under the weight of corruption and poor strategy. Not to mention Ukraine’s recent audacious grab of Russian territory and drone attacks on Moscow.

Adding to this turmoil was the murder of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in prison on 16 February 2024. Navalny’s assassination has further fractured the already fragile political landscape. The question now looms more significant than ever: what comes after Putin?

Navalny’s death marked a critical moment in Russia’s descent into authoritarianism. The Kremlin’s already harsh grip on dissent became even tighter as protests broke out in multiple cities, followed by mass arrests. For the Putin regime, eliminating its most visible political opponent may have provided short-term security, but it also exposed a long-simmering discontent across the country. Now, with the economy reeling, public confidence shattered, and the war in Ukraine unresolved, Russia appears closer to a pivotal transition. What shape…