Vladimir Putin's hold on power in Russia can be traced back to a long history of authoritarianism, rather than solely to Boris Yeltsin's crackdown on the parliament in 1993. An analysis by Slate explores the deeper origins of Putin's dictatorship [113d750b]. The article argues that while Yeltsin's shelling of the parliament was a necessary move to counter a coup attempt by a mix of Communists and fascists, the failure to establish democratic institutions and the unintended consequences of economic reforms paved the way for Putin's consolidation of power. Despite Yeltsin's allowance of a free press, Putin later shut down media outlets owned by wealthy individuals and tightened his control over the media landscape.
According to a report by Business Insider, Putin's strategy in Ukraine is proving successful both internationally and domestically [1d2c98bc]. Western fatigue with the conflict has resulted in decreased support for Ukraine, as Western countries are becoming less inclined to provide substantial aid. CNN's analysis further highlights Putin's strategy of counting on the fracture of the Western alliance backing Ukraine, as well as Ukraine fatigue in Europe [2048bf95].
In a recent opinion piece by Fair Observer, it is argued that Putin's grip on power remains strong despite military setbacks and internal challenges [c8a82f8b]. The author attributes Putin's continued hold on power to his strongman image, control over key institutions, effective use of propaganda, and suppression of dissent.
In conclusion, Putin's power in Russia is not waning, but rather rooted in a long history of authoritarianism. His strategy in Ukraine, control over the media, and suppression of opposition voices have allowed him to maintain his grip on power [113d750b].