Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Putin is just a tip of an iceberg of the whole Kremlin kleptocratic mafia apparatus, one of many. The system is the problem, not the man. It's a mafia state, there's many gangsters who can run the gang available.

Remove Putin, another candidate will be put in place. There's a small chance that Kremlin factions would use the transition to purge some of the other factions and e.g. blame all military defeats on them. This could change the course of the war, but it's not guaranteed.

Indeed thinking that the Russian regime is about Putin is incorrect. It's common in Western European circles in countries which didn't have any experience with Russian invasions and/or occupations.

Some experts on Russia, including some dissident Russian emigrants, speak very depressive stuff about the posibility of any positive changes in Russia. Many of them say that successors of Putin could be much worse than him.

I'm not so sure about that...I understand where you are coming from, but from day 1, once Yeltsin handed over the reins of power ( and consigned himself to the dustbin of history, even though his term still had some time to run.) Putin made it clear that the New Boss had arrived, and was in charge. The first thing he did to consolidate his power, was to take out the most powerful of the Oligarchs, Khodorkovsky. He had him arrested and after a very public trial, and locked him up for 10 years ( ?? ) This had the desired effect, and when he called a meeting of the Oligarchs and informed them that either things would change, or they would find themselves sharing a cell with Khodorkovsky, they voted unanimously for change. There after, I believe that he built an organization around him, but he was the undisputed and unassailable boss, a position that he holds to the present day. Otherwise, I think that he would have been deposed when the negative financial effects of the war began to be felt by the Oligarchs / Silovicki. But Putin has built many layers of protection around himself. He's still king rat.

More than likely complacency more than anything gave away the medal ceremony, absolutely should not have happened where and when it did ,

If 50% of any population that had bank loans defaulted and refused to pay back it'd be very serious.

A quiet opposition and two fingers to the regime?

Perhaps they already were or left the country. 😄

It was the Silovicki that Putin used to tame the Oligarchs. They are all old friends from his KGB days, and form his main support. Still, the Oligarchs' are pretty powerful too. Hard to know who or what will remove him, in the end, could be just something as simple and unavoidable as Father Time, the old guy with the scythe.😎

The oligarchs are like local/regional gang leaders. Not enough power IMHO and they'll never be united. All the power lies in Kremlin with the KGB/Siloviki.

Regardless, his days are numbered, whether he dies naturally or by drinking polonium tea or falling out of the window...

Putin is an FSB puppet. If they decide he is no longer useful someone else will be installed. This idea that if only Putin leaves office a progressive will take over is woefully naive of how Russian is effectively a mafia state bigger than any one man

I'm still of the opinion that like all Mafia's, the Don is the supreme commander, and same thing goes with Putin and Russia. The FSB / KGB members are all there because Putin nominated them when he took power ( and Yeltsin thought he could control him) they are guys that he had worked with in East Germany, and he trusts them completely ( as much as he trusts anyone, that is considering trust is not a word he is too familiar with. ) No, he's the kingpin, and that's the way it will remain until he is dethroned.

Ukraine was also a mafia state for a long time but has been slowly moving in a better direction. Things can change, even Russia if the right person takes over. Hard to see it happening soon, but who knows

You maybe of that opinion but I don't share it . The siloviki are engaged in cathedral thinking, they are the Don in Russia in this scenario. Whatever fate has in store for Putin he will be replaced by someone who will keep the corrupt gravy train going for the elite. So anyone thinking a democratic and western leaning leader will take hold after he is gone is engaged in wishful thinking.

Where did I suggest that a democratic replacement to Putin will happen? What will happen is that there will be war between the different factions until the strongest one emerges. And that's how Russia has been since Stalin's time. And it will continue like this, unless a miracle happens, genuine democratic elections are held, and Russia gets a somewhat legitimate government. But I would not hold my breath waiting for this to happen. I've lived and worked in Russia for several years, and believe me, I do not have any wishful illusions about the place.

Even American commentators get it wrong sometimes.

Referring to Kazakhstan as not it's own country in it's own right. But instead as Putin's back yard.

It's difficult for the neighbouring countries to stand out in their individuality but to be lumbered back continually to Russia and Putin.

Doesn't help the mafia master himself has plans on Russification mark II.