Putin Faces Military Setbacks as Russian Elite Begin Calling for End to Ukraine War

Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine has deviated significantly from his original plans in recent months, with drone strikes reaching St. Petersburg and disrupting Russia's annual economic forum this week. The attacks on Russian cities, combined with failed spring offensives, have raised questions about whether Ukraine has managed to turn the tide of the exhausting conflict in its favor. The mounting military setbacks and domestic pressure from drone strikes on major Russian cities have reportedly prompted some members of Russia's political and business elite to privately call for an end to the fighting. The war, which began as what Putin termed a "special military operation" in February 2022, has evolved into what Russian officials now describe as a total war, but recent developments suggest the Kremlin's strategy is facing serious challenges both on the battlefield and at home.