Despite limitations on free speech that haven’t ben seen since Soviet times, “there is a realistic possibility that recent vitriolic rhetoric by nationalist figures such as Wagner Group owner Yevgeny Prigozhin is emboldening opposition figures to challenge taboo topics,” the UK’s Ministry of Defence has said in its latest intelligence update on the conflict.

The MoD pointed to the appearance of opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin on Russian TV this week, in which he called for a new president to be elected in 2024, in order to rebuild normal relations with Europe.

The ministry said:

“Nadezhdin has been a vocal critic of the war since the invasion, but this is highly likely the first call for Putin to be replaced on Russian state-approved TV since it began.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jun/01/russia-ukraine-war-live-three-killed-in-kyiv-as-russia-launches-fresh-overnight-strikes?page=with:block-6478326a8f08403f1d17e3e7#block-6478326a8f08403f1d17e3e7