In russia, politics is a very dagerous game. If you arent with the current administration you are against it. And will be found guilty of bullshit charges and sent to siberia. It is built on a hundred+ years of backstabbing to get closer to the current leader. If you are usefull you are alive, the moment you stop being usefull you are dead or pretty much dead.

But currently what politicians in russia is left to oppose Putin? They are either all arrested or dead. The only ones that "can", that are in Putins inner circle, Putin has by the balls, the FSB is probably gonna murder their families if they try anything.

And as a leader you have to keep the ones under you more focused on fighting each other to serve you, the moment they can see past their small differences you are done for.

Army defectors i woudnt count on, they are, if they are smart. In hiding and stays there untill it is over.

Normal people have left the thinking to Putin. The majority will go of a cliff if he orders them to.

And the majority of people that has had their lives destroyed are Ukrainians. And they are allready fighting like a cornered wolf.