By Trendsetter Tribune 
Former journalist Nastya Rodionova says Russia’s internal divisions and systemic flaws make Putin’s regime unsustainable. Analysis explores political and regional pressures.
Nastya Rodionova, a former Russian political journalist now living in exile in France, predicts that Vladimir Putin’s Russia is heading toward inevitable collapse. The 39-year-old author and poet left Moscow after realizing that remaining in her homeland could put her and her family at risk, particularly following the Kremlin’s control over school curricula and political expression.
Speaking to the Express, Rodionova compared Russia to a “Frankenstein’s monster,” a system artificially held together by force and repression but fundamentally unstable.
Background: From Journalism to Exile
Rodionova built her career monitoring Russia’s political landscape, including the 2011 protests following Putin’s announcement to run for a third presidential term. She witnessed early public demonstrations and the crackdown that followed, which left many protesters disillusioned.
“The middle class in 2011-2014 quickly collapsed under minimal pressure, and the regime turned into a dictatorship,” she recalled. Later, youth movements inspired by opposition leader Alexey Navalny briefly reignited hope, but these efforts too were stifled by stricter laws and state repression.
What She Says About Putin’s Regime
Rodionova describes the Russian government as an inherently flawed system:
- A “Frankenstein’s monster” stitched together from corruption, censorship, and centralized power.
- Highly diverse regions and ethnic groups, each with distinct identities, forced into uniformity by Moscow.
- Growing economic strain as 56 of Russia’s 89 regions face budget deficits, partly due to funding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
She warns that attempts to “re-educate” or modernize the system are insufficient: “The only real option is to dismantle it back into parts – and perhaps those parts can live again.”
Analysis: Regional and Economic Pressures
Russia’s internal divisions are central to Rodionova’s assessment. From Chechnya to Siberia, and from Tatarstan to Kalmykia, each region experiences unique challenges, including inequitable distribution of resources and rising financial pressure.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has intensified these strains, diverting funds away from healthcare, education, and public services, leaving local governments struggling to meet basic needs. Analysts say this regional imbalance could undermine centralized control, creating vulnerabilities in the long term.
Implications: Long-Term Prospects
Rodionova’s warnings highlight broader structural weaknesses in Russia:
- A reliance on coercion rather than public consent
- Economic instability amplified by military expenditures
- Deep cultural and regional differences that challenge national cohesion
Experts note that while mass protests have not emerged, these underlying tensions could eventually destabilize the regime from within, particularly if regional authorities assert more autonomy.
Conclusion: Collapse by Design?
For Rodionova, Russia’s future is defined by its internal contradictions. A nation built on regional diversity, centralization, and systemic repression may appear strong, but the structural pressures and inequalities she outlines suggest a fragile state.
“Corruption, poverty, censorship, and even war have not mobilized protest, but the gulf between regions and the identities of local populations show where cracks may form,” she said. Her analysis offers a rare insider perspective on the forces that could shape Russia’s political trajectory in the coming years.