Part 3/12:
Economic hardship has begun to manifest in public protests, notably in St. Petersburg, where demonstrators sang anti-war and anti-government songs—most notably, "Swan Lake", a Soviet-era cultural symbol. Such acts suggest growing discontent and could be indicators of simmering unrest. Simultaneously, Putin’s regime appears to be conducting internal purges, especially targeting oligarch assets and military officials, reflecting internal power struggles amid economic distress.