‘Grandpa in a bunker’: is Putin losing control?
6/16/202627 min
Russian affairs reporter Pjotr Sauer on Vladimir Putin’s increasing isolation – and seeming paranoia – as ordinary Russians become more restive over the toll of the war in Ukraine and a struggling economy at home
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First 90 secondsHelen Pidd· Host0:00
[electronic music] This is The Guardian.
Noor Haidar· Host0:02
Hi, Nour Haydar here, coming to you from Gadigal land. Vladimir Putin has held power in Russia in one form or another for the last 26 years. But as the war with Ukraine stretches into its fifth year and the country's economy stagnates, Putin's grip on power appears to be slipping. In this episode of The Guardian's international news podcast, Today in Focus, host Helen Pidd talks to Russian affairs reporter Piotr Sauer about the increasing isolation of the man some Russians are calling Grandpa in a Bunker.
Piotr Sauer· Guest0:47
[electronic music] So last month the Kremlin released this curious video of Vladimir Putin dressed casually in jeans and a jacket walking, uh, with a bouquet of flowers in a hotel to meet his high school teacher.
Helen Pidd· Host1:10
Piotr Sauer is The Guardian's Russian affairs reporter. Decoding Kremlin propaganda is very much part of the job description.
Piotr Sauer· Guest1:17
On his way to, uh, meeting his teacher, he also made chitchat with a random passerby. Who