Russia faces worse scenarios after the war's end, not only because of the loss but also because of short-sighted domestic politics.
This opinion was expressed by the Major General of the SSU in reserve Viktor Yagun on the air of Channel 24. According to him, Russia is now in a complicated situation.
"Every step they take, wherever it goes, leads to more problems inside and outside Russia," Yagun said.
He cited the example of a proposal for a ceasefire at Christmas, which was not accepted by either the international audience or the Russians themselves. The expert also notes that the head of Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is becoming bolder and bolder in his actions.
The general recalled how Prigozhin suggested that Russian universities enroll occupiers who went through the war in Ukraine without exams. "In fact, he is trying to shove former prisoners into the faculties of diplomacy at MGIMO (Moscow State Institute of International Relations)," Yagun said.
The general adds that Prigozhin is a man without professional education and stable connections in the elite. Still, now he is starting to rule the state in quite unexpected ways: he decides who to fire, punish, send to the front, just kill, and who to give a start in life through the most prestigious Russian faculties.
Yagun believes that Russia should not be interfered with but rather just observed.
"Their state is beginning to crumble from within, and perhaps this is one of those moments that will affect our future victory," the general said.
Yagun suggests that an internal struggle may begin in Russia between several groups of influence that have long been enmity with each other - the security forces, businessmen, and, to a certain extent, the military. The general added that if Russia had at least an ephemeral opposition that could speak out and offer something, it might have taken power after the Ukrainian victory.