Vladimir Putin is reportedly facing growing anger from Russia's elite, who want the war in Ukraine to end. People at the top of the country's society are also worried about the Russian economy, it is believed, as Western sanctions take their toll.

Senior Russian security and military officials are pushing for an escalation of hostilities in Ukraine, opposing any prospects of negotiations. Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Details: ISW analysts note that Russian security forces deem it crucial to escalate military operations in Ukraine,

The Russian BBC service, together with Mediazona, has confirmed the deaths of over 6,000 soldiers from elite Russian units in Ukraine. These figures account for losses since the beginning of the war,