“Someone has to be first”: Russian nationalists call for a coup against Putin. Hearing against Biden next week

His repeated attacks on Kremlin leader Putin have already landed Igor Girkin in prison – but this cannot silence the nationalist and war criminal convicted in the West. Girkin recently explained on his Telegram channel, which has nearly 700,000 subscribers, why he would be a better president than Putin. Now, Girkin’s lawyer has published a new post from him – and it’s quite something.

First, Girkin speaks of “obvious unrest” in Russia, which began at the end of June with the uprising of the Wagner mercenaries. However, the “special military operation” in Ukraine makes it impossible to “stabilize the bureaucratic-oligarchic consensus that has existed for more than twenty years,” the right-wing intelligence officer said. By the phrase, Girkin apparently refers to Putin’s system of rule, which is based on the apparatus of the secret service, the army and wealthy business bosses.

Girkin ordered the downing of flight MH17

“This means that sooner or later the unrest will reach its final stage. An uncontrolled collapse of the entire public administration system is possible,” writes Girkin, who nicknamed himself “Strelkov” (Gunner). “At the same time, there is currently a lack of a positive patriotic force in the political sphere that could at least influence the development of the situation.”

Girkin is no stranger to Russia. The 52-year-old is considered one of the leading voices of the nationalist right in the country. In 2014, Girkin took part in the Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine and became the ‘Defense Minister’ of the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic. In this role, Girkin ordered the downing of flight MH17, killing 298 people, most of whom were Dutch. A Dutch court sentenced him in absentia to life imprisonment last year. However, it is not expected that Girkin will be extradited from Russia.

Democracy is Girkin’s horror

In Russia, Girkin is currently being held in Moscow’s infamous Lefortovo prison for other reasons. He was taken there at the end of July, probably in connection with the mutiny of the Wagner mercenaries a month earlier. Although Girkin is not considered an ally of the late mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, he had also repeatedly criticized the Kremlin’s wartime behavior. Now Girkin warns that “the current system of power will lose its checks and balances” – and that the “liberal opposition” is the only alternative to Putin.

For Girkin, democratic development in Russia is a horror idea. Therefore, he considers it his duty “to make every effort to create at least the basis for the unification of the ‘non-sick’ patriotic forces as a ‘third force,’” Girkin writes. “However, someone must step up first, if only to set a good example and encourage others to take action.” However, Girkin does not see himself in a position to lead the uprising against Putin because he has neither the resources nor the authority to do so.

“Someone has to be first!”

“I hope that my example will motivate other people and other forces among those who now dare not act as leaders of the national-patriotic movement,” Girkin said. “My position is that it is too late to be afraid and wait – we are on the eve of the collapse of the Russian state. Someone has to be first!”

The Kremlin has not yet responded to Girkin’s blatant call for a coup against Putin. It is unclear why Girkin was able to criticize the Kremlin ruler so openly. Recently he has openly mocked Putin. It is conceivable that Girkin enjoys the protection of certain circles within the Russian secret services. Like Putin, Girkin also went through the domestic intelligence service FSB. In 2013, he reportedly switched to the infamous military intelligence service GUR, which is held responsible for attacks on Kremlin critics abroad.