A leading member of ultra-Russian nationalists has called for a revolution if the Kremlin tries to freeze the war in Ukraine or enter peace negotiations with Kyiv and the West. The call comes as fears grow among staunch pro-war supporters that Vladimir Putin may be seeking to bring the fighting to a stop prior to the 2024 Presidential elections in Russia. The ultra-nationalists appeared to be particularly upset and worried by the recent comments of the Wagner boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin.
The close Putin ally urged the Russian President in a Telegram post last week to stop the war in Ukraine, saying he should declare that Moscow had “won the special military operation”.
Prigozhin pointed out that Russia had captured a large part of Ukraine’s territory, and that the best strategy now would be to preserve the existing achievements.
He added that for both the authorities and society as a whole, it was necessary to “put an end” to the war.
Russian ultra-nationalists, however, have warned Putin that any failure to double down on the war effort in Ukraine would lead to serious political consequences for his regime.
Pavel Gubarev, a member of the “Club of Angry Patriots” (CAP) and the self-proclaimed former “People’s Governor of Donetsk Oblast”, said the group was ready to act ruthlessly to protect national interests from being betrayed by “fifth columnists” inside government.
Taking to his Telegram channel, he said: “We (the CAP) share the concept of Motherland and power.
“In power, there are many grabbers, scumbags and saboteurs who are hostile towards national interests. We, in turn, are hostile to them, and even revolutionary.”
The ultra-nationalist continued: “If the government stops begging for negotiations in order to arrange another agreement (after Minsk and Istanbul), we will fully support it.
“If not, we will prevent betrayal with all our strength, means and all our determination. Understand, Russian people, if the conflict freezes for another 5-10 years, then we will no longer be able to win.
“The fifth column of the enemy in the Russian Government (agents, oligarchs, national separatists and ethnic mafias) will not allow the reform of political and socio-economic institutions for military needs.
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“Without a revolution (from above or from below), we will not win. And in this sense, the CAP is a potentially revolutionary force.”
Putin’s forces have been struggling for months now to capture the eastern city of Bakhmut.
Throughout the winter, heavy fighting has raged around the Donbas city, and has resulted in huge casualties for both sides, but particularly for the Russians.
In early March, Western officials estimated that between 20,000 and 30,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded in the fighting.
NATO sources put the casualty ratio at five Russian soldiers killed for every Ukrainian soldier.
Despite the heavy losses, Putin’s army has persisted in trying to take full control of Bakhmut, no matter what the cost.
On Saturday, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its forces had captured another three districts in the western part of the city. The claims have not been verified.
It is believed that Wagner troops continue to lead the assault on the city, with regular Russian units providing cover on the flanks.
In its latest statement, the Defence Ministry said: “The airborne troops were restraining the Ukrainian units on the flanks and supported the actions of the assault squads to capture the city.”
