Vladimir Putin is on the verge of being assassinated, according to reports

Since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been determined to suppress opposition in his country.

In recent weeks, police in Russian cities have cracked down on protests, and the Kremlin’s version of events has been widely disseminated in the media. Putin also used a speech to criticise Russians who opposed the invasion. He referred to war opponents as “scum” and “traitors.”

“The Russian people will always be able to distinguish true patriots from scum and traitors and will simply spit them out like an insect in their mouth onto the pavement,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Opposition to Mr Putin appears to be growing in high places, as Russia Expert at Chatham House Nikolai Petrov made an unexpected claim that Putin could be assassinated.

He also said that the Russian President could be targeted by a member of his own family.