This archive report was first published on 7 September 2019.
As the world watches, Vladimir Putin's grip on power is slowly slipping. The Kremlin's long-standing strategy of enriching cronies, terrorizing foes, and placating the urban bourgeoisie with a decent standard of living is no longer effective in an era of international sanctions, economic stagnation, and unpopular reforms.
One key factor contributing to Putin's decline is the growing list of victims who have been murdered by his regime. Nemtsov, Sergei Magnitsky, Natalia Estemirova, Alexander Litvinenko, and Anna Politkovskaya are just a few of the many who have been silenced, but their deaths continue to haunt the Kremlin.
Today's youth-driven protests in Russia are a stark reminder that Putin's regime is no longer able to terrify its domestic foes. A recent survey found that the number of young Russians who 'fully trust' Putin has fallen to 19 percent, from 30 percent last year. This trend line is not a good sign for a man who aspires to die on his throne.
While it's impossible to predict the future, the elements that could lead to Putin's downfall are coming into place. The courage of people like Sobol, who continues to speak out against the regime despite the risks, is a powerful force that could ultimately bring about change.
As Pericles once said, 'knows the meaning of what is sweet in life and of what is terrible, and then goes out undeterred to meet what is to come.' Sobol and others like her are a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit, and a reminder that even the most entrenched regimes can fall.
