Putin Reportedly Fears That He’ll Be Hanged If He Loses Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly fears that ending the war in Ukraine without securing a victory could cost him his life, with Kremlin insiders claiming he has warned that he could be “hanged” if Russia fails to achieve its objectives.

The explosive claim was reported by the Economist, which cited sources close to the Kremlin as saying Putin believes he cannot safely end the nearly five-year war without at least capturing all of Ukraine’s Donbas region. “They will hang me,” Putin reportedly told people close to him at some point during the war, according to one insider cited by the outlet. 

The reported fear could help explain why Putin appears increasingly committed to escalating the conflict rather than pursuing an end to the fighting. According to the Economist, Putin is preparing to send as many as 400,000 additional Russians to the battlefield. Russia’s September 2022 mobilization decree remains in effect, meaning Moscow can reportedly recruit additional troops without formally announcing another mass call-up. Regional authorities could be tasked with meeting recruitment quotas, allowing the Kremlin to spread the manpower costs across individual regions.

The reported escalation comes as Russia continues a massive aerial campaign against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia launched nearly 1,500 drones over a four-day period, more than half of them jet-powered, as repeated strikes disrupted life in Kyiv.

Russian forces have also increasingly targeted Ukraine’s logistics and commercial infrastructure. Ukraine’s agriculture minister said roughly 90% of the food logistics infrastructure operated by major retail chains has been destroyed, but added that alternative delivery methods would prevent Ukrainians from being left without food.

Ukraine has meanwhile expanded its own long-range drone campaign against Russian oil, energy and logistics infrastructure.

The war is also reportedly becoming increasingly unpopular among parts of Russia’s elite. One insider told the Economist that the conflict has continued largely on “inertia,” imposing growing economic and political costs on Russia. Another argued that nearly five years of war increasingly makes the conflict appear to be a failure regardless of its eventual outcome.

Despite those concerns, Putin’s grip on power remains secure, according to the report. The danger may instead be what happens if he attempts to end the war without being able to claim a meaningful victory.

Putin has continued to publicly reject the idea that Russia is preparing to wind down its campaign. During an Aug. 22 address, he accused Ukraine of opening a “Pandora’s box” and threatened retaliation against what he called the country’s “most sensitive sectors.”

“The special military operation continues,” Putin told members of Russia’s ruling United Russia party. “We will move only forward.” The Kremlin has also increasingly threatened Ukraine’s Western supporters, including Britain, as Western governments expand military assistance to Kyiv.

The result is a war in which Putin may face pressure from multiple directions: growing costs at home, frustration among portions of the Russian elite and continued battlefield resistance from Ukraine. An exit without a clear victory could carry political consequences he reportedly fears could be even more severe.