The operation of the armed forces of Ukraine in Russia's Kursk region and the forced evacuation of thousands of Russians could seriously test Putin's power. Pro-Kremlin war bloggers have criticized Russia's defense ministry, and at least one oligarch, Oleg Deripaska, has already publicly condemned the war. The American publication The Wall Street Journal writes about this.
Deripaska criticized the Kremlin's defense spending, called the war in Ukraine “crazy“ and called for an “immediate, unconditional ceasefire”.
He probably would not have spoken so openly if other representatives of the business and political elite did not agree with him, as political scientist Abbas Galyamov noted. Deripaska is a very analytical person, therefore, before saying such things, he always consults the elite. This is not just Deripaska's voice.
Ordinary Russians, receiving a constant stream of propaganda to protect themselves from the "evil" West, they are unlikely to protest. But Putin needs other support – that of the political and military elite of the Federation, as well as the oligarchs who stand in the shadows.