In a dramatic turn of events, a prominent pro-Kremlin figure who unexpectedly denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine has been placed in a psychiatric facility, according to Russian media reports on Thursday. Ilya Remeslo, who built a career criticising Putin's opponents, shocked his followers by publishing a viral manifesto entitled "Five reasons why I stopped supporting Vladimir Putin" on Telegram.
From Supporter to Critic
Remeslo, who had approximately 90,000 followers on the messaging platform, posted the detailed critique late on Tuesday. In it, he accused Putin of prosecuting a "failing war" in Ukraine that has resulted in millions of deaths and severely damaged Russia's economy, undermining the well-being of its citizens. The blogger explicitly called for Putin's resignation and trial, stating, "Vladimir Putin is not a legitimate president. Vladimir Putin must resign and be brought to trial as a war criminal and a thief."
Confirmation and Hospitalisation
On Wednesday, Remeslo reiterated his stance to The Guardian, emphasising that "Vladimir Putin should resign and be put on trial as a war criminal. His personalised, corrupt system is doomed to collapse, as we're seeing now with the war in Ukraine and elsewhere." However, by Thursday, St Petersburg's Fontanka newspaper reported that Remeslo had been hospitalised in the city's Psychiatric Hospital No. 3. The hospital's information desk confirmed that a patient matching Remeslo's name and surname was available to receive packages, though Reuters could not immediately verify his presence in the facility.
Fontanka did not provide specific grounds for his admission, leaving questions unanswered about the circumstances surrounding his hospitalisation. This development has sparked concerns among observers about the treatment of dissent in Russia, particularly given Remeslo's sudden shift from a Kremlin supporter to a vocal critic.
Broader Political Context
Meanwhile, the Kremlin announced on Thursday that talks between Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv aimed at ending the war in Ukraine are on a "situational pause" following the outbreak of conflict in Iran. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cited "obvious reasons" for the halt in discussions, as reported by Izvestia newspaper, which suggested that the Middle East war might push Kyiv towards compromise.
In related news, U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to end the Ukraine war upon his return to the White House, though he has expressed disappointment in the progress of conflict resolution efforts. This geopolitical backdrop adds complexity to Remeslo's case, highlighting the tense environment in which his criticism emerged.
Implications and Reactions
The hospitalisation of Ilya Remeslo raises significant questions about freedom of expression and the treatment of opposition voices in Russia. His rapid transition from a denouncer of Putin's critics to a critic himself, followed by his placement in a psychiatric facility, underscores the risks faced by those who publicly challenge the Kremlin's narrative. As the situation unfolds, international attention remains focused on both Remeslo's welfare and the broader implications for dissent in Russia amid ongoing conflicts and diplomatic pauses.
