Russian President Vladimir Putin fears being murdered by a raging mob like fellow tyrant Colonel Gaddafi as protests continue to rage in Russia, it has been claimed.
Ongoing unrest over the jailing of political rival Alexi Navalny has seen thousands take to the streets and the aging leader is reportedly concerned about his own potential demise.
Author and historian Yuri Felshtinsky said Putin, 68, is desperate to maintain his iron grip amid claims he has been obsessively watching footage of Libyan Gaddafi's assassination in 2011.
But he said the Kremlin strongman won't change his ways and will be convinced recent protests mean further repression and silencing of opponents is needed, not less.
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Putin, who has been in charge for 20 years, can remain in power until at least 2036 thanks to laws he signed off himself.
The ex-KGB officer rose to power with the backing of the FSB Russian secret service.
"He’s bright enough to know that under normal rules, his system of government cannot exist. He’s not an idealist," Russian-American Mr Felshtinsky told The Sun.
"He knows there’s no way he can survive unless he continues to oppress.
"The lesson that Putin will have learnt after the recent events is that he should control more and that he should repress more. And that’s what we will see."
Navalny, 44, was still recovering from Novichock poisoning - widely believed to have been a Kremlin attempt on his life - when he was arrested following a trip to Germany.
He has since been locked up for three years in a penal colony and Mr Felshtinsky is convinced he will be killed by the state in the not too distant future.
Prior to being detained, Navalny leaked footage of Putin's secret £1 billion palace and claimed the leader is using a slush fund to cover family 'expenses'.
The author believes the video will have sealed his fate.
And added Putin is "not looking for retirement" just yet.
