‘Entire territory under strict regime’: Ukraine’s intelligence assesses protest potential in Russia

This was stated in an interview with Ukrinform by Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine Oleh Ivashchenko.

“A general potential for protest does exist, but it is insignificant, standing at 18-20 percent. We do not see any prerequisites for internal destabilization,” he said, commenting on the possibility of a protest movement arising in Russia.

According to Ivashchenko, there are dissatisfied groups in Russian regions, including the Caucasus, but their dissatisfaction is directed at local authorities: “There is no such thing as someone criticizing the top leader.”

“The entire territory of Russia is under a strict regime, saturated with large numbers of FSB agents and Rosgvardia troops, who are doing their job accordingly,” the intelligence chief noted.

As reported, Chief of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Kyrylo Budanov previously stated that one day of war costs Russia nearly one billion dollars, and 41% of the country’s budget is allocated to defense spending.