‘Grandpa in a bunker’: is Putin losing control?

About this episode

The episode discusses Vladimir Putin's increasing isolation and paranoia amid the war in Ukraine and domestic economic struggles.

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. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

People in this episode

Guest: Pjotr Sauer

Topics covered

• Vladimir Putin
• Russia
• Ukraine
• war
• economy
• isolation
• paranoia

Keywords

• Putin
• Russia
• Ukraine
• war
• economy
• isolation
• paranoia
• Pjotr Sauer

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Guardian

Places: Russia, Ukraine

More episodes of Today in Focus

• Should you boycott the World Cup? – The Latest · June 12, 2026 · 13 min
• On the ground in the Belfast riots · June 12, 2026 · 27 min
• Defence secretary quits with ‘blistering’ swipe at Starmer - The Latest · June 11, 2026 · 12 min
• Mehdi Hasan on Donald Trump’s big, beautiful birthday · June 11, 2026 · 28 min
• The view from Belfast after a night of violent protests - The Latest · June 10, 2026 · 13 min
• Can Badenoch’s culture war win back Reform supporters? – The Latest · June 9, 2026 · 10 min