Vladimir Putin becoming 'more toxic' as search for his successor is 'already underway'

Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine's military intelligence directorate, has claimed that the Kremlin is already searching for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s successor due to increasing dissatisfaction with his regime.

Vladimir Putin's regime is a 'catastrophe'

Yusov’s comments were shared on Twitter and translated into English on Saturday 18 March by Anton Geraschenko, an adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. In what appears to be a television interview, the intelligence official revealed:

The circle around Putin is narrowing and he [Putin] is becoming more and more toxic, both for the outside world and inside [the country].

Yusov continued:

Within the Kremlin, there is more and more dissatisfaction with what is happening. There is an increasingly gloomy understanding of the prospects, specifically the geopolitical catastrophe of the Putin regime.

He declared:

Thus, the search for Putin's successor is already underway, and it is no longer Putin who is searching for a successor.

However, Yusov did not identify any potential candidates who could replace Putin.

Estonia's former foreign intelligence chief, Mikk Marran, agrees. He told Newsweek that while Putin 'thinks that he can outlast the West', simultaneously 'he knows he's in the corner'.

However, Marran believes that even if Putin is replaced, his 'obsession' with Ukraine will be perpetuated. He said:

I think it will stay around. I think whoever takes over from Putin will still retain this kind of Putinistic thinking and Putinistic way of ruling the country. I don't see that it will change drastically. But we'll have to wait and see.

Read more ⋙ Vladimir Putin’s latest appearance sparks speculation over health concerns once again

Growing dissatisfaction from citizens

It seems that not only is there growing dissatisfaction with Putin from within the Kremlin but also among ordinary citizens.

In a video of Putin allegedly meeting local residents during his visit to the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol on Sunday 19 March, a woman’s voice can be heard shouting 'it’s not real! It’s all for show!'

The shout can be heard in a video published by the Kremlin’s press service and the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. Both Russian and Ukrainian Telegram channels then shared it.

After the shout, the men accompanying Putin can be seen looking around frantically and motioning to each other, seemingly trying to identify the source of the disturbance, which appeared to come from a nearby building. Putin's official visits are usually tightly controlled.

Read more:

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⋙ Vladimir Putin found guilty of war crimes as ICC issues arrest warrant

Sources used:

Newsweek: 'Kremlin Already Searching for Putin's Replacement: Intelligence Official'

Newsweek: 'Putin 'Knows He's in the Corner' in Ukraine, Ex-NATO Spy Chief Says'

Meduza: 'Woman’s voice seems to shout ‘It’s all for show!’ in Kremlin video of Putin chatting with purported Mariupol residents'

The Telegraph: 'Watch: Putin heckled during Mariupol visit'