Russia could be “turned upside down” by pro-Ukraine groups that have launched cross-border attacks on Russian territory, Vladimir Putin’s former speechwriter tells Daily Express US.
The Kremlin was rocked this week after three groups comprised of Russian dissidents fighting for Ukraine turned two border regions into “active combat zones”.
Ukrainian intelligence said the armed groups had launched operations in Belgorod and Kursk regions.
Spokesperson Andriy Yusov said: “Kursk and Belgorod regions are now an area of active combat actions. This is what we confirm.”
“And as stated by the volunteers and rebels, we are talking about Russian citizens who, having no other options, are defending their civil right with arms against the Putin regime.”
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Vyachslav Gladkov, governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, said on Telegram: “I can state that there are no Ukrainian troops on the territory of the region. The fighting is taking place outside it.”
Now, Putin’s former speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov tells Daily Express US: “Since they didn’t achieve much military success they almost didn’t influence political situation. But if they become more successful they might turn the country upside down.”
The attacks from pro-Ukraine groups came just as Russia was preparing to head to the polls for the presidential elections.
The vote took place over the weekend, with Putin predictably winning with 87 percent of the vote.
Many around the world have branded it a sham vote after Alexei Navalny’s death and the barring of anti-war candidate Boris Nadezhdin.
Gallyamov believes the 87 percent figure is a false one, pushed by the Kremlin to create a false sense of support behind Putin.
He said: “Putin could have made the result more convincing if he made it a more realistic margin of victory. To create the facade that there is space for dissent and dissatisfaction.
“But in reality is there is no space for dissent or dissatisfaction. Nobody will believe this 87 percent figure.
“Why did Putin choose to be so unconvincing? Because he is afraid that if he makes it a more realistic number, he will lose control of the society. Everyone who is sceptical would view the result as proof he is getting weaker.”
