Putin Just GROUNDED Russia's Own Planes as Panic Spreads - Jason Jay Smart
Across Russia, Ukraines strikes are now moving beyond the front and into the systems Putin needs to keep the country functioning: fuel, planes, Crimea, transport, and elections. A country this large cannot operate normally when regional flights become uneconomic, refineries are under pressure, Crimea is losing power and transport reliability, and the Kremlin is worried enough about public mood to discuss delaying elections.
As Russias fuel shortage deepens, regional aviation is becoming one of the clearest proof points. Azimuth says its supplier demanded a one-third cut in fuel use, aviation fuel prices have jumped sharply, and parts of its domestic flight program no longer make economic sense. At the same time, Crimea is facing blackouts, fuel limits, transport delays, and pressure on the Kerch route after Ukrainian strikes on power, rail, air defense, and logistics.
Security officials are discussing delaying State Duma elections because Russias economic pain is now too visible to hide. United Russia is weakening, prices are rising, drone attacks continue, and the economy is absorbing more war pressure. Russias planes, Crimea, oil industry, elections, and internal control are no longer separate stories. They are the warning that Putins war is consuming the machinery that lets him govern.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro: Putin's Regime Faces Panic
01:18 - Cornered Regime: Putin's Control Begins to Slip
03:23 - Fuel Burn: Ukraine Collapses Russian Aviation
06:21 - Crimea Flees: Russian Occupiers Escape Ukraine
08:06 - Hungry Mouths: Putin Risks Losing Oligarchs
09:44 - Stolen Ballots: Kremlin Faces Election Backlash
11:01 - Empty Booths: Putin Leads Russia to Doom