Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza, freed from a 25-year sentence in a 2024 prisoner exchange, says the war in Ukraine is backfiring on President Vladimir Putin at home.
In an interview with Global News, Kara-Murza pointed to mounting military and economic failures stripping away Putin's strongman image, exposing him as increasingly weak.
He cited a recent Levada Center poll showing 62% of Russians favor peace talks, with only 27% supporting continued war. Accurate polling is difficult due to Kremlin fear tactics, Kara-Murza noted, suggesting the actual peace-support figure is likely higher.
Economic hardship is growing: inflation is high, taxes have risen, and internet shutdowns in Moscow and other cities have fueled discontent. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone attacks are striking deeper into Russia, forcing Putin to scale back the annual May 9 Victory Day parade.
A Russian drone veered off course Friday and struck an apartment building in NATO member Romania, injuring two people. Ukraine is preparing for further attacks, including on Kyiv, after the Kremlin warned foreign diplomats to evacuate.
Kara-Murza said the Kremlin is terrified of allowing antiwar voices on the ballot for September's parliamentary elections and is targeting members of the opposition Yabloko party. He expressed confidence the Putin regime will fall, and the opposition must be ready for a swift, unexpected democratic transition.
Financier Bill Browder, who testified alongside Kara-Murza, praised the opposition's sacrifice, saying they could step in when Putin's regime collapses.