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Paranoid Vladimir Putin loses grip on staff and is terrified of attempted coups

03 June 2024 , 22:00
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Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights in Moscow on May 31, 2024 (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Vladimir Putin has been accused of trying to "coup proof" his regime by "purging" high-rankers.

Suspicions that the Russian President is losing grip and unable to control his own staff have circulated widely following the apprehension of Major General Ivan Popov, 49. The general, who once commanded Russia's 58th Combined Arms Army in , was sacked from his military role last year after condemning the "mass deaths and injuries" of Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

However, last month Popov was then "arrested on suspicion of fraud," according to Russian state news brand Tass. But Popov isn't the only highly-regarded Russian to be locked up in recent months. Last week, it was alleged that Deputy Chief of the Russian General Staff Vadim Shamarin had also been arrested - while head of personnel at Russia's Defense Ministry, Yuri Kuznetsov, was detained last month on suspicion of bribery.

Paranoid Vladimir Putin loses grip on staff and is terrified of attempted coups uhihriqhitdprwPutin has ruled Russia with an iron grip (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Trent Telenko, who used to work at the US Department of Defense and studied Russian military logistics, argued the series of arrests is proof that Putin's purge of the Russian military is 'picking up steam'. "It won't stop until no one competent is left," he added.

Following Popov's arrest, Telenko wrote on X (formerly ): "58th Army of the Southern Military District, Ivan Popov, was one of the few competent Russian flag ranks. His removal is about Putin 'Coup proofing' his military."

Putin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of eventsPutin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of events

Ukrainian military blogger Igor Sushko has also been vocal about the arrests, claiming there have been "whispers of a rebellion among the soldiers."

Following Popov's arrest and subsequent decision to hold him in detention - Sushko posted on X: "COUP RISK RISING IN RUSSIA.

"The Kremlin regime reversed course and opted to keep the popular Popov in prison. House arrest denied.

"This is significant. Popov made various snarky comments while seeming relaxed." However, it's worth pointing out Sushko has been found to post un-sourced details of the war on social media.

According to Newsweek, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied that the arrests were part of any kind of campaign, adding: "Of course, there is no talk of any campaigning here. It continues in all departments, be it either federal departments or at the municipal level."

Earlier in May Putin began another six-year term as president wielding extraordinary power.

Since becoming acting president on the last day of 1999, Putin has shaped Russia into a monolith — crushing political opposition, running independent-minded journalists out of the country and promoting an increasing devotion to prudish “traditional values” that pushes many in society into the margins.

Charlie Jones

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