Security Expert Says Putin's Biggest Issue Is Soldiers Returning in Coffins

Written by Kathrine Frich

Jan.07 - 2025 9:44 PM CET

War
The government’s financial compensation for fallen soldiers has helped mitigate dissent.

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The war in Ukraine continues to shape global dynamics, revealing the heavy cost of prolonged conflict.

While the toll on both soldiers and civilians mounts, the Kremlin faces growing challenges in maintaining public support, particularly as casualty numbers rise.

For Russian leadership, this problem is compounded by the stark divide between urban and rural populations in their response to war losses.

Can't Justify Loss of Life

Professor Daniel Boćkowski, a Polish security expert, offered insights into the complex situation during a recent interview.

Boćkowski pointed out that the rural regions of Russia have borne the brunt of the war effort, with residents often enlisting due to economic desperation.

The government’s financial compensation for fallen soldiers has helped mitigate dissent in these areas.

“On the provinces, the death of these people is much more acceptable, especially because of the additional money families receive,” he said, according to WP.

However, this narrative shifts dramatically in Russia’s cities. Urban populations, less reliant on government payouts, are less likely to view the loss of life as justifiable.

“In the cities, if people start dying, the symbol of those coffins will be significant,” Boćkowski emphasized.

He explained that the return of soldiers in coffins could fuel anger and discontent among city dwellers, presenting a serious challenge to Putin’s administration.

The expert also noted that the Kremlin’s reliance on poorer regions to supply troops reflects a strategy of managing dissent by targeting areas less likely to resist.

Still, financial pressures are beginning to strain this approach. Reports suggest that regional governments are struggling to fund recruitment efforts, as economic resources dwindle amid the prolonged conflict.

Boćkowski further explained that for President Vladimir Putin, the problem isn’t just recruiting soldiers but dealing with the aftermath.

“The problem for Putin is not bringing people to the front. The problem is them coming back in coffins,” he said.

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