Pro-war hardline influencers in Putin’s regime in the context of Russia’s re-invasion of Ukraine

Abstract

This paper explores why Putin's regime benefits from the activities of pro-war ultra-nationalist hardliners during the war against Ukraine despite their harsh criticism. While the regime appears stable and without significant opposition, these hardliners play a crucial role by advocating for more extreme measures and legitimizing the war effort. In exchange for their support, the regime permits controlled dissent on specific issues, such as immigration and ethnic minority policies. However, this relationship comes with risks, as some experts even suggest that these hardliners could become a threat to political stability or emerge as an opposition focal point. This paper argues that such scenarios are unlikely unless the regime collapses. Following Prigozhin's failed mutiny, ultra-nationalist hardliners lack the capacity to seriously challenge the regime. The article examines the regime's strategic use of hardliners and discusses the boundaries of their criticisms, which are tolerated within informal limits.