Page 9 - Russia OUTLOOK 2023
P. 9
A palace coup remains unlikely while Putin commands the loyalty of the
population – his approval rating in December had dropped only 2pp to 78%
despite the humiliating success of Ukraine’s Kharkiv offences and the decision
to retreat from Kherson – which makes him untouchable by the Russian elite.
Moreover, as any change in guard at the top would likely be accompanied by a
purge and redistribution of control of Russia’s richest assets, the majority of
Russia’s ruling elite have little incentive to rock the boat.
9 Russia OUTLOOK 2022 www.intellinews.com
