Inside Putin’s Sudden Disappearance | Inside Russia

(MOSCOW, RUSSIA) – Reports of an apparent absence of Vladimir Putin from public view, combined with unusual Kremlin media activity and mounting economic pressure, are prompting renewed scrutiny of Russia’s internal stability and leadership dynamics.

In a discussion with Konstantin Samoilov of the Inside Russia platform, analysts examined a series of signals ranging from speculation about Putin’s disappearance to signs of strain within Russia’s political and security structures. While no definitive conclusions have emerged, the convergence of these factors suggests a potentially significant moment inside the Kremlin.

Samoilov stated that Putin “had been missing for over a week” and was “nowhere to be seen”, noting that recent Kremlin-published images of the Russian leader greeting Paralympic athletes appeared unusually low in quality. He described this as “very unprofessional” and added that, in his view, the individual shown “doesn’t look like Putin”, though he acknowledged he could be mistaken.

He stressed that while Putin’s absence is a matter of record, linking it directly to a coup would be premature. “When there’s a coup happening in Russia, we know because you can’t hide that,” he said, arguing instead that multiple smaller indicators point towards rising instability rather than an immediate power seizure.

The discussion also addressed the broader geopolitical context, particularly the impact of the Iran war. According to Samoilov, the conflict has temporarily benefited Russia by driving up global oil prices, providing what he described as an “economic break”. He noted that this has allowed Russia to sell oil at higher prices, easing the impact of sanctions in the short term, but warned that it does not resolve deeper structural economic weaknesses.

He further claimed that Russia is providing Iran with intelligence on aerial activity involving the United States and its allies, while engaging in indirect strategic pressure. He characterised this as a form of geopolitical leverage, though such claims remain difficult to independently verify.

On the domestic front, Samoilov described a deteriorating economic situation, stating that inflation is rising, businesses are closing, and layoffs are increasing. He compared current conditions to the early 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union, saying that economic decline has accelerated sharply in recent weeks.

He cited anecdotal reports of small business closures and social distress, including individuals selling personal belongings in public spaces, drawing parallels with post Soviet economic hardship. He also alleged that authorities in certain regions are targeting small scale agricultural producers, though these claims were contested during the discussion and require verification.

The conversation highlighted growing social tensions, with Samoilov suggesting that public dissatisfaction is increasing as the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine become more visible. He also pointed to rare instances of criticism from pro Kremlin figures, including one long time supporter who publicly accused Putin of misconduct before reportedly being detained in a psychiatric facility.

Despite these developments, Samoilov reiterated that there is no clear evidence of an active coup. Instead, he described a system under pressure, with competing power centres including security services, political elites and economic actors potentially contributing to a shifting balance within the state.

He also noted a change in Russian propaganda narratives, with the United Kingdom increasingly portrayed as a primary adversary, replacing the United States in some messaging following recent geopolitical shifts.

Samoilov concluded that while the situation does not yet indicate an imminent power change, “there are more and more signs that something is not well.”