Russian Lawmaker Warns Of ‘Social Explosion’ Amid War Losses, Demands ‘Public Plan’ To End War

A Russian Communist Party lawmaker has warned that Russia is “on the brink of a social explosion,” pointing to corruption and economic decline due to the prolonged war in Ukraine.

Vyacheslav Markhaev, member of the Communist Part of the Russian Federation (KPRF), said corruption scandals are unfolding alongside what he described as heavy wartime losses among “the most active and reproductive segment of the population,” which he linked to “ineffective leadership.”

According to his Telegram post on Thursday, when referring to the war, he said that “corruption scandals are combined with continuing losses” and that “attacks on our cities do not stop, and their geography is expanding.”

Additionally, according to officials in the presidential administration, the Kremlin’s goals of “denazification” and “demilitarization” of Ukraine are now being reframed.

“These goals are no longer about the entire country, but only about the occupied territories,” he claimed.

He urged authorities to publish a “clear public plan for ending the special military operation,” warning that failure to do so would deepen instability.

“If such a situation continues, a social explosion and chaos become more likely,” he wrote, adding that “all responsibility will fall on the unchangeable power.”

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Markhaev also delivered a broad attack on Russia’s economic trajectory, writing that “over the past 25 years, utility tariffs have increased by 366%,” while “communal infrastructure continues to deteriorate.”

He added that many Russians, especially pensioners, are forced to spend a “significant share of their income” on utilities.

At the same time, he pointed to what he called a widening inequality gap, noting the “growth in the number of billionaires amid corruption scandals and arrests of officials.” He argued this showed that Russia’s leadership has “lost touch with people’s needs.”

In one of his passages, Markhaev wrote: “What would an external enemy do if it captured Russia? It would seize resources, plunder industry, raise tariffs, and build estates for itself. But no invasion happened – the authorities did it themselves, more effectively than any aggressor.”

He concluded that Russia’s system has become self-destructive, saying the ruling elite has “lost contact with reality” and warning that without change, “internal problems will only intensify.”

Russia’s war in Ukraine has now exceeded the duration of World War I, with Russian forces suffering around 1.2 million casualties by early 2026, including up to 325,000 killed, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Meanwhile, Moscow continues to prioritize military spending, with 12.9 trillion rubles ($178 billion) – around 30% of the federal budget – allocated to defense in 2026.