He warned of political instability and even risks surrounding Russia’s nuclear arsenal, as well as a possibility of increased Chinese influence over Russia. The words could also be interpreted as a tacit admission from Russia’s elite that the war could still be won by Ukraine. He was sanctioned by Europe following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and is still one of Russia’s best-known industrialists. Russia’s Business Elite Speaks More FreelyMelnichenko’s intervention comes as other influential Russian business leaders begin to speak their minds more publicly – even if most of them stop short of criticizing Putin himself. That doesn’t mean younger Russians have completely turned against Putin, but it does suggest that the tightly controlled information environment that benefits Putin may not exist for much longer.