Historian Armand Goșu, specializing in the former Soviet space, predicts Vladimir Putin's downfall will likely stem from Russia’s deteriorating socio-economic conditions, rather than battlefield losses in Ukraine. Goșu argues that Russians have a limited tolerance for a declining standard of living. He believes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski is strategically attempting to exploit this internal pressure within Russia. This is being done, according to Goșu, by effectively shifting the focus of the conflict onto Russian territory. The historian suggests that internal strife and economic hardship pose a greater threat to Putin’s power than military setbacks. Ultimately, the future of Putin's regime may depend more on the well-being of ordinary Russians than on the war’s progression.