With Russia in crisis, could Putin be forced out?
It has been widely reported that conscription is focused on Russian regions such as Dagestan, Buryatia and Yakutia – the home of poor, non-Russian ethnic and Indigenous groups, who often don’t have internet access and are less likely to protest than those in prosperous cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Also, Russians have a tradition of venerating their leaders, reinforced by the barrage of television propaganda glorifying Mr. Putin as the country’s saviour against the evil West. From the onset of the Ukraine conflict, the public has been told that the U.S. and its NATO allies are the real enemies, who are supporting Ukraine with the aim of destroying Russia.
The problem for Mr. Putin is that this might be necessary. According to the Institute for the Study of War, onlyand contract servicepersons in the Russian reserve receive refresher training after their initial service.