Russian President Vladimir Putin is “inexplicably concerned” about the country’s presidential elections in 2024, according to a US think tank.
While Putin’s approval ratings remain high in Russia, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believes comments made by the Central Election Commission (CEC) chair on Tuesday could suggest there is anxiety in the Kremlin.
CEC Chair Ella Pamfilova’s “statement suggests that the Russian government will continue to intensify censorship efforts under the guise of fighting attempted internal election meddling ahead of the presidential elections”, according to the ISW.
The ISW also cites Putin’s own comments on November 15, when he said the Russian government would suppress any foreign or domestic election interference.
The think tank pointed to a report in a Russian newspaper that claimed families of those fighting in Ukraine have been paid by regional authorities to stop them from protesting.
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In its report, the ISW added: “The Kremlin may also be concerned about a perceived lack of support for Putin from the Russian veteran community.”
“The Kremlin’s apparent concern about Putin’s support is odd,” the ISW said, “given that the Levada Center – an independent Russian polling organisation – found that 82 percent of Russians approved of Mr Putin’s performance as of October this year”.
Founder of the Council of Wives and Mothers, Olga Tsukanova, was included in the list of “foreign agents” that could cause problems during the election.
Her organisation has challenged the Kremlin as it mobilises men across Russia to fight in Ukraine.
Another anti-war protester, beautician Olga Kats, had her petition to allow mobilised men to come home from the war rejected.
She has now promised to ramp up her opposition to the war.
Ms Kats said: “We are seeking to establish a maximum service period for mobilisation.
“It’s high time to bring home the civilian men who fell under partial mobilisation.
“The Presidential Administration simply decided not to care about the efforts of 100,000 people.”
Ms Kats was told the men would only come home “at the end of hostilities”.
