Vladimir Putin disappearing will lead to 'unpredictable consequences' in Russia, critic reveals

Former Russian commander, Igor Girkin, has warned that President Vladimir Putin could 'disappear at any moment', leading to stark consequences.

Vladimir Putin's disappearance could lead to chaos

A video of a recent discussion was shared on Twitter by Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Ukrainian Internal Affairs Ministry. In the video, Girkin speculated what could happen if there was a change of Kremlin leadership. He said in Russian, according to translated subtitles provided by Gerashchenko:

Let’s say Putin is shifted. He is shifted, dies of natural causes or says on TV that he is tired and quits… Right away, in fact, this would collapse the internal situation of the country, the internal stability, and this would lead us to an external defeat.

Girkin then reiterated his belief a Russian civil war could be on the horizon and seemingly referred to the Russian President's much speculated about health condition:

Then the process of the county’s disintegration will start, a civil war of all against all. I do not exclude the possibility that we are doomed to this. I do not rule it out because the state of the President is the biggest secret in the Russian Federation.

He added:

He could disappear at any moment. For example, you will wake up tomorrow and he is gone. And then, indeed, all the same things I’m talking about could… A power struggle with unpredictable consequences will ensue.

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A vocal critic of Vladimir Putin

The comments are somewhat of a U-turn for Girkin, who, while supporting the war, has been increasingly vocal in his criticism of the Kremlin's leadership and military failures. Just last week, Girkin accused Putin of withdrawing himself from the war effort, which he branded a 'complete failure' due to a lack of preparation.

Later on in this most recent discussion, Girkin continues his criticism of Russia’s war effort, condemning the army’s lack of communication, reconnaissance, and air dominance, amongst other issues.

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Sources used:

- Newsweek: 'Putin May 'Disappear at Any Moment,' Spark Russian Civil War: Ex-Commander'

- Newsweek: 'Putin No Longer Leading Ukraine Effort, Girkin Says: 'A Complete Failure''