Putin’s ‘inner circle’ blames him for devastating Russian losses with Ukraine strikes creating ‘toxic’ Kremlin atmosphere, says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that members of Vladimir Putin's inner circle are privately blaming the Russian leader for the mounting losses his forces have suffered as a result of Ukrainian strikes, creating what Zelensky described as a "toxic" atmosphere within the Kremlin. The claim, if accurate, would suggest growing internal strain among Putin's senior officials over the conduct and cost of the war, more than four years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

Specific details of Zelensky's remarks, including when and where they were made, were not available in the source material provided. The report frames the alleged discontent as centring on the scale of Russian casualties and setbacks linked to Ukrainian strikes, with Zelensky suggesting this is fostering unease and blame directed at Putin among those closest to him.