From ally to critic: Vitaly Mansky exposes Putin's iron grip on Russia

Vitaly Mansky, once a trusted confidant of Putin, has turned into a vocal critic of the war and the Russian dictator. For his outspokenness, he is now vilified and wanted. "He will rule until his death, humiliating, destroying, and killing Russians," Mansky stated in an interview with "Gazeta Wyborcza".

Vitaly Mansky orchestrated Putin's initial presidential campaign and later took up roles in television, even receiving offers to become a deputy in the Duma. Now 60 years old and living outside Russia, he has come to terms with the fact that he cannot return to his homeland.

"After the invasion of Ukraine and the murder of Alexei Navalny, I brace for the worst. The Kremlin is echoing its predecessors, who started by expelling dissidents and eventually resorted to assassination to silence them completely," Mansky detailed in an interview with "Gazeta Wyborcza".

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Mansky contends that the government will strip Russians of their rights through property confiscation and a return to Soviet-era realities. "I am ashamed of Russians. Recent years have laid bare their cowardice and utter lack of self-respect," Mansky laments. "Their apathy has ensured Putin will rule until his death, subjecting them to humiliation, destruction, and stealing their future and dignity. It's appalling."

The ex-colleague firmly states that he has abandoned the Russian language, now communicating in English and Ukrainian. "Putin has robbed me of my moral right to my own language," he expressed to "Gazeta Wyborcza".

Mansky recalls the palpable fear of Putin among the populace shortly after he assumed power. Even those in theoretically influential positions were made to wait outside his office for up to eight hours just to meet with him.

Putin has turned elections into a farce, historically presenting no real challenge by influencing opponents to field weak candidates. At one point, the contestant was a bodyguard from one of the political party's leadership. According to Mansky, Putin, formerly generous to those loyal to him, now rules by intimidation.

In a discussion with "GW", Vitaly Mansky disclosed that the president undergoes exhaustive health checks at least weekly, bordering on paranoia. He also hinted that one of his bodyguards could potentially be his successor, given his close relationships with them.