The current war in Ukraine has reached a very serious stage, with rising violence and reports of increased Russian military operations. During this escalation, some reports claim that Vladimir Putin is deeply worried about his future, fearing possible consequences if his military efforts in Ukraine do not succeed. These fears are said to come from his sense of being exposed to danger and the heavy losses Russia has suffered in the war.
Intelligence reports acquired by The Sun indicate that Russia is gathering around 50,000 soldiers near the Ukrainian border, which could mean they are preparing for another large attack. This troop buildup is happening at the same time as a major increase in Russian bombing and drone strikes, including what is being called the biggest drone attack since the war started, with more than 350 drones used in just one night.
This increase in attacks is happening even though President Donald Trump has tried to arrange peace talks, efforts that so far have not worked. Trump has openly criticized Putin’s actions, calling him “crazy” and suggesting that new sanctions might be imposed.
Putin needs to win the war to survive
Macer Gifford, a British volunteer soldier who has fought in both Ukraine and Syria, shared his thoughts on the situation. He believes Putin’s strong desire to take control of Ukraine comes from his wish to achieve what he sees as an ideological goal to bring back the Soviet empire. He also said that Putin fears his failure and would be “hanging from a lamppost in six months” if he doesn’t take Ukraine.
Gifford points out the clear difference between the Ukrainian people, who want closer connections with the EU and a brighter future for their children, and Putin, whose actions seem driven by his own personal legacy. Gifford suggests that Putin is very afraid of being removed from power if he loses in Ukraine, and he might end up like other dictators who were overthrown.
Adding to these concerns are the extremely high Russian military losses. Estimates say that more than 10,000 tanks, 22,000 armored vehicles, 26,000 artillery systems, and over 700 aircraft have been destroyed. The human cost is even more shocking, with Western officials reporting over 900,000 Russian casualties, including around 250,000 deaths. These losses create a grim background for Putin’s reported fears about his own safety and future.
David H. Carstens, a former Army intelligence officer, analyzed Putin’s weaknesses. Carstens notes that despite huge losses, especially in the first four months of 2025 (with estimates of more than 160,000 casualties), Putin does not seem pressured to seek peace. He partly blames this on what he sees as a lack of long-term support for Ukraine and divisions in the European Union’s unity on the issue. Carstens stresses that Russia thinks it is negotiating from a strong position, even with its heavy losses. His analysis highlights the big risk Russia is taking, possibly leading to its highest yearly casualty numbers since the war began.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said publicly that there is no sign Putin is truly interested in peace, which supports the idea that a major attack is coming. Zelensky’s statement is backed by growing intelligence that Russia is getting ready for a new large-scale assault, showing that the war is not close to ending and that Putin’s reported fears may be pushing him toward even more aggressive actions.
