Guardian: Putin Projects Confidence While Russian Elite Face Collective Despair

The Guardian reports that dissatisfaction with President Vladimir Putin is rising within Russia. Sources indicate that Putin is becoming increasingly isolated, and the elite are deeply disillusioned by his insistence on continuing the war in Ukraine despite a struggling domestic economy. While Putin recently staged a public appearance to project a confident, approachable image, this is seen as a calculated move to counter reports of him hiding in a bunker due to fears of assassination. However, insiders say Putin remains fixated on his goal of capturing the entire Donbas region by the end of the year.