Russian lawmaker compares Kremlin elites to foreign invaders
A Russian communist lawmaker has warned that the country faces an imminent "social explosion" due to rampant state corruption and mounting losses from the war in Ukraine. State Duma Deputy Vyacheslav Markhaev criticized the Kremlin's shifting war aims and economic mismanagement, according to a report by The Moscow Times.
Elite corruption and demographic drain
Markhaev stated that massive corruption scandals are compounding the continuous loss of Russia's most active and demographic core. He noted that Ukrainian attacks on Russian cities continue to expand in geographic scope, blaming the fallout on inefficient leadership.
The parliamentarian demanded that authorities present a clear public plan to conclude what Moscow officially terms the "special military operation." Without a transparent strategy, he warned that domestic instability and chaos will become inevitable.
Economic breakdown and domestic anger
Turning to domestic issues, Markhaev highlighted a 366% surge in utility and housing tariffs over the past quarter-century, even as municipal infrastructure deteriorates. He emphasized that ordinary citizens, particularly pensioners, must spend most of their income on basic utilities.
Meanwhile, the number of Russian billionaires continues to grow despite a wave of high-profile corruption arrests among defense and state officials. The lawmaker concluded that the ruling elite has entirely lost touch with the population's needs after nearly 25 years in power.
"An external enemy would seize resources, loot industry, and build luxury estates," Markhaev wrote. "The current authorities have achieved all of this alone, more effectively than any foreign aggressor."
Translation by Iurie Tataru
