"Mourning over Kherson": ISW: Putin under pressure - Dugin: "Loyal to the end"

Russia has to give up Cherson, and ultra-nationalist circles mourn the failure.

"Mourning over Kherson": ISW: Putin under pressure - Dugin: "Loyal to the end"

Russia has to give up Cherson, and ultra-nationalist circles mourn the failure. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War cite statements by ideologue Alexander Dugin suggesting a departure from Putin. Dugin himself feels compelled to clarify.

According to an analysis by the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Russian failures in the Kherson region are putting President Vladimir Putin under domestic pressure. The withdrawal has resulted in an ideological rift between pro-war advocates and Putin, undermining confidence in Putin's commitment and ability to fulfill his war promises.

The authors of a recent paper write that the ultra-nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin, among others, has openly distanced himself from the Kremlin boss because he did not uphold Russian ideology. Russian ideology defines Dugin with the responsibility for defending "Russian cities", like Cherson: "The limit has been reached", Russia must not give up any more areas.

The ISW cites Dugin's statements that Putin, as an autocrat - a term that has positive connotations for Dugin - has the responsibility to "save his nation all by himself or suffer the fate of the 'king of rain'". With this Dugin alludes to the book "The Golden Bough" by James George Frazer, in which a king was killed because he was unable to bring rain in a drought.

Dugin responded to reports on Telegram about his statements and spoke of "confusion in the media". In a message he wrote: "No one has turned their backs on Putin, both I and other Russian patriots support him unconditionally." The grief over the loss of Cherson is one thing, the attitude towards the commander-in-chief is something else. "We are loyal to Putin and support the military operation to the end."

The ISW notes dwindling support for Putin from other pro-war and military bloggers as well, although this is not usually openly expressed. Dugin's statements could therefore "indicate a change among Russian nationalist ideologues". According to the ISW, Wagner-related channels are also turning against the Kremlin after the loss of the Cherson region. Some military bloggers from this faction portrayed the withdrawal as a "sell-out" of Russian interests. Many of them had previously supported the withdrawal.