# The Economist: Putin fears ending the war without victory, reportedly saying, ‘They will hang me’

https://mins.news/en/item/38315

- Meduza, 2026-08-31 07:44 UTC
- World
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/08/31/the-economist-putin-fears-ending-the-war-without-victory-they-will-hang-me-he-reportedly-told-his-inner-circle

> The Economist reports that Vladimir Putin fears for his safety if Russia ends the war without capturing all of Donbas, which it describes as his minimum goal. People close to Putin allegedly heard him say, “They will hang me.” The report says war fatigue is growing in Russia and that the Kremlin may escalate through intensified hybrid warfare, sabotage against Ukraine’s allies, and heavier strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

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