Local politicians ask for Vladimir Putin's resignation as Russian forces retreat in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin is a MAN who goes shirtless in the Russian tundra and wants to "liberate" Ukraine from Ukraine. But that image is facing several cracks, and even Putin's hyper loyalists are speaking up against him. 

Something unimaginable is happening in Russia. 

A LOT of people, even those in the pro-war camps, are unhappy with strong Vlad over the war in Ukraine. So much so, that some local politicians have signed a petition calling for Vladimir Putin's resignation, and his scary loyalist friend from Chechnya, the LORD or Ramzan Kadyrov, has "warned" that he might be "forced to speak with the leadership". 

Last week, two groups of local politicians from Moscow, St Petersburg (Putin's birthplace) and Kolpino, signed petitions demanding the resignation of Putin. On Monday, September 12, a third group of politicians from St Petersburg joined the call. 

What did they say? On Twitter, a municipal deputy of St Petersburg posted this: 

18 local councilors signed the latest petition. It asked other municipal deputies to join the call. 

Мундепы требуют отставки Путина

Муниципальные депутаты из 18 разных округов Москвы, Петербурга и Колпино требуют отставки Путина. Текст петиции лаконичный, никого не “дискредитирует”. Если вы мундеп и хотите присоедниться - милости просим. pic.twitter.com/APCUZRlznv

— Ксения Торстрем (@kseniathorstrom) September 12, 2022

The municipal level is relatively low in political hierarchy. But it signals a change. The New York Times reported that candidates critical of Putin have been able to get elected at lower municipal council levels, which is next to impossible in higher-up positions. 

FYI, elections are held in Russia, but they are as good as if Hitler held elections. Elections in Russia are largely known to be fraudulent and rigged in favour of Putin. 

You would think, why a few not-so-powerful politicians criticising Putin would be a big deal. Well for one, they are risking their lives and livelihoods to do so. The earlier batch of politicians was slapped a fine, according to reports, for trying to discredit the military and the government. However, as is the case with many of Putin's critics, they may be exposing themselves to more violent actions against them.

[Read about how several Russian oligarchs and executives have been dying under mysterious circumstances in 2022] 

But the crux of the matter is that it's not just the local politicians who have been critical of Putin. BBC reported that on pro-Russian social media channels, the Russian military's "defeat" lately in Ukraine has not gone down well. 

You should know that Russian forces in several parts of Ukraine including Kharkiv, were forced to retreat by Ukraine's lightning counteroffensive. Things are not looking all sunshine for Russia in the Ukraine war. 

[Read about the recent Ukraine-Russia war updates]

It has also not escaped the notice of the "patriotic" Russians. The powerful leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, who's a Putin-appointed head, a loyalist and whose forces have fought alongside Russians in the Ukraine war, made a scathing remark. 

Chechnya's Ramzan Kadyrov says mistakes were made in Kharkiv and urges immediate changes to Russia's war effort. A clear sign of trouble.

— Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) September 11, 2022

"If today or tomorrow no changes in strategy are made. I will be forced to speak with the leadership of the defence ministry and the leadership of the country to explain the real situation on the ground to them," BBC quoted Kadyrov saying. 

The comment came in response to Vladimir Putin inaugurating a giant Ferris wheel in Moscow, dubbed Europe's largest, and taking part in a fireworks display at the capital, at a time when Russian forces were suffering a defeat on the battlefield. 

Beautiful fireworks in Moscow tonight to celebrate stunning success of Ukrainian forces in Kharkiv Oblast. pic.twitter.com/8XOzHk223D

— Dmitri (@wartranslated) September 10, 2022

Putin is opening up the world's largest ferris-wheel today. See some reactions. pic.twitter.com/xzYi28bFn0

— Christo Grozev (@christogrozev) September 10, 2022

What could it mean for Putin? One thing Vlad is good for is getting himself out of tough situations; that's how he's held on to power for decades. However, he's also acutely aware of what his predecessors faced after a lost war. 

1. The first Russian Revolution of 1905 was brought on by Russia's defeat at the hands of Japan. 
2. The 1917 Revolution spelled the end of the Tsar dynasty due to its failure in World War I. 

So, will the Ukraine war be the end of the invincible Vladimir Putin? But, a cornered Putin can also mean unthinkable actions like a nuclear attack in Ukraine.