Putin’s escalation worries sections of the Russian elite

Berlin Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has satisfied the hardliners with his widespread airstrikes on Ukraine and the appointment of a general known for his brutality as supreme commander of Russian troops. In the upper echelons of business, on the other hand, his tough course is causing unrest.

Several managers and officials have been unusually vocal in their criticism of Putin’s military escalation. They doubt the recent actions on the battlefield will calm the growing unrest in his country, the Washington Post reports. “I don’t think that will take the pressure off,” an influential Moscow businessman told reporter Catherine Belton.

Belton was Moscow correspondent for various international media for many years and has written a widely acclaimed book on Russia under Putin. It is considered to be excellently networked in Russia.