The head of the Presidential Office of Russia, Andriy Yermak, has stated that Russia is experiencing a process of internal weakening that could end in a collapse similar to that of the Soviet Union. In statements to RBC-Ukraine, Yermak has pointed out that the war is no longer limited to Ukrainian territory and that even within Russia the feeling of vulnerability grows.
As he explained, “any empire, any dictatorship, is based on violence,” and although many people obey out of fear or convenience, that fear “iinevitably weakens” when the system begins to falter. “Completely unexpected scenarios begin to emerge, and that moment is not far away,” said the official, convinced that Russian power is going through a critical phase.
Yermak has also described the Russian Federation like a kind of deformed version of the former USSR. According to him, the idea of a voluntary union between its different regions is more of an illusion than a reality. “Formally, the Russian Federation is supposed to be a voluntary union of nations. But how voluntary is it really? Not everyone joined voluntarily, and not everyone is happy there. The Russian Federation is a parody of the USSR. And I wouldn’t rule out that it could follow the same path to collapse,” he said.
The official finally added that, although Moscow tries to project an image of friendship with other countries, the majority of the world “already understands the true value of that friendship.” According to himEven China is aware of the risks that a Russia with unlimited power would entail.
For his part, the head of military intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, has recognized a few months ago that an eventual fragmentation of Russia is possible, although unlikely in the short term. Still, he warned that the Kremlin’s political system is resilient and designed to maintain control no matter who is in charge.
For Yermak, like the USSR before its dissolution in 1991, Russia would be showing the first cracks of a power that is no longer as firm as it appears.
