Former Kremlin Propagandist Hospitalized After Turning Against Putin
A prominent pro-Kremlin lawyer and television pundit who dramatically reversed his support for Vladimir Putin has reportedly been committed to a psychiatric facility within hours of his public denunciation. Ilya Remeslo, a 42-year-old former staunch supporter of the Russian president and endorser of the invasion of Ukraine, posted a series of scathing messages on Telegram earlier this week, labeling Putin a "war criminal, liar, and thief."
Scathing Critique and Predictions of Collapse
In his posts, Remeslo declared that Putin is not a legitimate president and must resign to face prosecution. He forecasted that a coup would topple Putin this year, citing the war in Ukraine as an "abject failure" with up to two million casualties. Remeslo argued that Putin is growing weaker annually, leading to "complete disarray and instability" and clear signs of the system's approaching collapse. He criticized the Kremlin's propaganda about Western aggression, stating, "No one is calling for war against Russia. But now the war is being waged solely for Putin's ego complexes, and we ordinary citizens get nothing from it, only losses."
Hospital Admission and Historical Context
Following the viral spread of his messages among Kremlin officials, Remeslo posted a video to confirm his authorship and deny any hacking. Hours later, he was reportedly admitted to the Skvortsov-Stepanov City Psychiatric Hospital in St. Petersburg, Putin's hometown. Friends have been unable to contact him, and reports indicate he was placed in a ward for patients with "delusions, thought disorders, and incoherent speech." This hospital has a notorious history from Soviet times, where it was used for "punitive psychiatry" to silence dissenters, and recent years have seen allegations of torture within its walls.
Broader Implications and Security Measures
Remeslo's denunciation, described as the strongest from an insider since the war began, raises significant questions about potential cracks within Putin's elite. In recent weeks, the Russian regime has intensified security around the Kremlin and blocked mobile internet access in Moscow and on the frontline, amid the failing war and looming economic crisis. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about political repression and the use of psychiatric institutions to target critics, echoing dark chapters from Russia's past.
