Russia on brink as Putin adviser issues dire warning of new civil war and social meltdown

Russia is facing a potential civil war due to rising political, social and economic tensions, according to a Putin adviser. The warning was issued by Alexander Kharichev, the head of the Presidential Directorate for Monitoring and Analysing Social Processes.

Russians have been struggling with rising costs as inflation remains stubbornly high, with food prices in particular surging well above the average rate. The economy is starting to creak under the strain of almost four years of war, as firms struggle to keep their businesses afloat. Bankruptcies and lay offs loom large on the horizon, as the Kremlin prioritises its political agenda over the economy.

At the same time social spending has been slashed, while the Kremlin pours billions of dollars into its military.

Russia has also suffered over one million war casualties - mostly men of working age - while struggling with a declining and ageing population.

The Kremlin sociologist identified a potential civil war as one of five major challenges confronting Russia in an article published in the State journal.

He warned of the fragmentation of society, division in the country and the loss of Russia's ability to fight for its survival.

He also highlighted problems of population decline and the erosion of public trust in the government.

"We've gone through this at least twice in our history - in the 17th and 20th centuries," he wrote. "And who's to say it can't happen again? The causes can be anything, from ethnic or religious tensions to generational or property conflicts."

In a previous article published in April called "Civilisation Russia", Kharichev warned about "the loss of internal unity" and the "splitting of society."

"Historical examples - from the Time of Troubles to the revolutions of the 20th century - clearly show that when society becomes divided, statehood comes under threat," he said.

"The contradictions may vary - social, political, moral, or spiritual - but the result is always the same: a divided country becomes easy prey for external forces."

The warning comes as an internal Kremlin poll showed a majority of Russians now say they are fed up with the war in Ukraine and want it to end as soon as possible.