Vladimir Putin is potentially facing a coup—dubbed “Operation Twilight”—as anger boils over among Russia’s powerful elite.

Reports suggest the Russian leader could be dramatically ousted by those closest to power, with chilling speculation his death could even be staged while he is forced into lifelong isolation.

Insiders warn the strongman is now in a “very dangerous situation” as cracks widen at the very top.

The claims come from reports in Estonia, painting a picture of deep unrest among Russia’s economic, political and military heavyweights. For decades, oligarchs and business magnates have underpinned Putin’s iron grip on the country. But now, those same figures are said to be turning against him as the fallout from the Ukraine war hits their fortunes hard.

Sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have slashed wealth and cut off access to Western markets. Once able to travel freely and profit from global trade, Russia’s richest now face mounting restrictions and financial losses. The frustration is growing—and it is aimed squarely at the Kremlin.

Russian dissident Igor Eidman claims the divide is now stark. He says that for the first time in decades, the interests of the ruling elite “fundamentally do not align with the dictator.”

That shift, he warns, puts Putin in a precarious position unlike any he has faced before.

Even voices within Russia are sounding the alarm. Political activist and war hardliner Maksim Kalashnikov admitted the mood has soured dramatically among the elite. He described the current leadership not as an asset—but as a “toxic” liability, with many desperate to end the war and return to the “old good times.”

Those “good times” included unrestricted travel to the West, booming energy exports, and strong ties to European markets. Now, all of that has been shattered. Instead, Russia is pouring vast resources into its war effort, with defence spending hitting £144 billion in 2025 alone.

Putin has reportedly leaned heavily on the country’s wealthiest to keep the war machine running. According to Eidman, elites who once lived comfortably now face constant financial pressure and demands for contributions. Corporations are even being pushed to recruit fighters, form private military groups, and send employees into military service.

The strain is relentless. “The demands never stop,” Eidman said, describing a system under growing stress. With a budget deficit mounting, the financial burden is only increasing—further fuelling resentment among those footing the bill.

Meanwhile, doubts about the war itself are creeping into public discourse. Grigory Kubatyan, a war correspondent for pro-Kremlin newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda, admitted Russia’s vast army is struggling. He acknowledged the conflict has reached an impasse and called for negotiations to bring it to an end.

“The war must be won or ended to save lives,” he said, adding that it is “impossible to wage war indefinitely.” He praised frontline troops as heroic but stressed they are human and need rest after years of fighting.

As pressure mounts from both economic and military fronts, the possibility of internal upheaval looms larger. The reported “Operation Twilight” suggests some elites may be considering drastic measures to protect their wealth and future.

What happens next remains uncertain—but the warning signs are flashing. With dissatisfaction spreading among those who once secured his rule, Putin could be facing one of the most serious challenges of his time in power.

Putin faces Operation Twilight coup from fuming Moscow elites – 'Very dangerous'

Some interesting views:

But why is an old geezer with a turkey neck wearing an Oasis hoodie?

Right now, with oil up, Russia should be coining it in, and they are. But all that money isn't going to fund lavish lifestyles around the world , instead its going into to fund an increasingly disfunctional army, spending money on, get the latest, flame thrower drones to get through the anti-drone netting formed from old French fishing nets.

Yes, morale must be rock bottom in the Russian army. Yes, I know Russia-strong champs/chumps will likely pipe in with 2-3 year old stats on Ukrainian desertions, while pointedly refusing to address desertions on the Russian side.

But, to pick up from the 1917 analogy; the Russian army didn't cause the revolution, that was caused by an inward collapse of the state. At the front, the Russian squaddie is there, at one level being told by his commanders that they are going achieve great victories agains the Hohol Nazis. But they don't. They crawl forward to take one ruined village, only to retreat back through that same ruined village, likely over the now skeletal remains of their comrades from the previous "victory".

On the Ukrainian side, likely similar commanders are promising great victories over the fascist Orcs. But they don't. They crawl forward to take one ruined village, only to retreat back through that same ruined village, likely over the now skeletal remains of their comrades from the previous "victory".

But here is the difference. The Ukrainian squaddie, irrespective of what his commander is telling him, knows one thing. He is holding the ground. For the defender, thats a measure of victory. You recall Macaulay's poem, Horatius, where the Romans were holding a bridge against the entire Etruscan army.

https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2022/03/lays-of-ancient-rome-thomas-babington-macaulay.html

And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his gods

Tea window or door handle Vlad 🤔

The fact that there may be a coup in the works and that there are a lot a lot of disenchanted Russians in a position of power is not a surprise at all. What is infinitely more shocking is why this hasn't happened sooner. A pox on Putin and every single one of his close associates and fellow serial killers and billionaire gangsters.

The first photo seems to be a demo of the

way he is supposed to go ?

Strange that !

Perhaps he can go into exile at Margarine Lardo?

Maybe it is time for a more ruthless leader than Putin.

This "news" comes from Estonia!!!!

Kaja Kallas is Estonian...

8 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

The first photo seems to be a demo of the

way he is supposed to go ?

Strange that !

Receiving instruction on how to choke oneself

I wonder if one of the major problems is the elites "children of fighting age", all having to live abroad......they certainly won't be anywhere near the front.

8 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

The first photo seems to be a demo of the

way he is supposed to go ?

Strange that !

From Sky News-

'We don't want to fix his hair every day': Museum removes waxwork of Vladimir Putin after it was damaged by visitors

The Grevin Museum is now considering replacing the likeness of Mr Putin with a model of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

'We don't want to fix his hair every day': Museum removes waxwork of Vladimir Putin after it was damaged by visitors | World News | Sky News

On 4/19/2026 at 3:49 AM, bannork said:

Vladimir Putin is potentially facing a coup—dubbed “Operation Twilight”—as anger boils over among Russia’s powerful elite.

Reports suggest the Russian leader could be dramatically ousted by those closest to power, with chilling speculation his death could even be staged while he is forced into lifelong isolation.

Of course he does. But the numerous "deadly diseases" he's had since March 2023 will probably kill him first. Well, unless one of the poorly made Russia missiles constructed from North Korean washing machine parts doesn't fall on his head first. And considering that Russian citizens are resorting to cannibalism due to the empty market shelves, he'll probably be eaten by his staff. Yep, things are bleak for Vladimir Vladimirovich and no doubt Ukraine will successfully march on Moscow by 2027 and if Vladimir is still alive, he'll be tried for war crimes, imaginary or otherwise.

On 4/19/2026 at 3:49 AM, bannork said:

The claims come from reports in Estonia

The claims come from Estonia. Really? Ha HA HA! Little Estonia, one of the viscous Baltic Chihuahuas. This topic would be better entitled, "Estonia's Fictional Account of the Demise of Vladimir Putin," or "Kaja Kallas' Moist Dream Comes True." No doubt the movie will star Stephen Segal. I can't wait!

8 hours ago, FlorC said:

Maybe it is time for a more ruthless leader than Putin.

Dmitry Medvedev at your service.

On 4/19/2026 at 3:07 PM, spidermike007 said:

The fact that there may be a coup in the works and that there are a lot a lot of disenchanted Russians in a position of power is not a surprise at all. What is infinitely more shocking is why this hasn't happened sooner. A pox on Putin and every single one of his close associates and fellow serial killers and billionaire gangsters.

My guess is that Trump will be removed from office well before Vladimir Vladimirovich steps down from office.

1 hour ago, connda said:

Dmitry Medvedev at your service.

Yes , he would kick more butt than Vlad. 👍

This is probably not unrelated.

Putin finally admits Russia’s economy is in trouble and grasps for answers, after warnings about a financial crisis have been piling up

https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/articles/putin-finally-admits-russia-economy-215355032.html

14 hours ago, FlorC said:

Yes , he would kick more butt than Vlad. 👍

14 hours ago, FlorC said:

Yes , he would kick more butt than Vlad. 👍

I love Medvedev!

He speaks undiplomatic truths.