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Published December 23, 2023, 3:57 pm ET
A former long-time head of America's Central Intelligence Agency has declared that Vladimir Putin's days are numbered, predicting that the Russian president will be toppled in a “black swan” palace coup.
And the downfall of one of the most controversial and ruthless leaders in modern history is only a matter of time.
Jack Devine served in the US spy agency for three decades and told The Sun newspaper in an exclusive interview that he wouldn't be surprised if Putin “disappeared tomorrow.”
Speculation about the future of Russia's leadership has been simmering for some time, with the country's poor performance in the war with Ukraine heightening discussions.
Likewise, there are endless reports of Putin's poor health, and rumors are emerging from the Kremlin that he was close to death at various times.
He then faced an armed insurrection led by warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin, who gathered his mercenaries from the Wagner Group in a bizarre and short-lived conspiracy.
Prigozhin died for his disloyalty.
But Devine, 83, who led thousands of spies on covert and secret missions around the world for 32 years, believes Putin's downfall lies in the hands of those closest to him.
Vladimir Putin's days are numbered, a former CIA chief has predicted. ZUMAPRESS.com
“Putin could disappear tomorrow and I wouldn’t be surprised if some element in the government decided to take executive action,” Devine told The Sun.
Devine believes Putin is becoming increasingly unpredictable and dangerous – and that his invasion of Ukraine has “sown his political downfall.”
The Russian president continues to send his troops into meat grinder attacks to achieve a winter victory.
The devastated town of Avdiivka – the gateway to the major city of Donetsk 12 miles to the east – has become the war's deadliest flashpoint as Putin tries to break a painful stalemate.
Devine believes the tyrant's popularity will continue to decline as the war progresses – but that won't stop his cruel activities.
Vladimir Putin's hold on power is becoming increasingly weak. via Portal
The Russian leader will continue his fight “no matter what it takes,” Devine said.
“The more losses and the more violence is visible to Russian citizens, the less people want to get involved,” he explained.
“It will be difficult for him to recruit, but it is Russia after all. He will find a way to be strong and entice.
“Eventually he will come up with the army, but the war is becoming increasingly unpopular.”
The “standstill” in Ukraine is likely to lead to Putin being toppled in a “black swan” palace coup, especially if it looks like Russia’s efforts will result in a “permanent stalemate.”
“It will be a surprise. There is always something we call a “black swan” that appears out of nowhere.
“But if you fail a Black Swan, I think your problems start when there's a stalemate, right now. I don't think there will be an uprising. I think it will be something we could call a palace coup.”
A growing number of military analysts agree that Putin's power cannot last much longer and that the end of his rule is near, whether through a coup, an assassination attempt, a fall of the regime or his deteriorating health.
Devine said Putin's recent behavior suggests the president has become increasingly unpredictable and dangerous, and he is likely aware that he “precipitated his political downfall” with the Ukraine war.
Russia continues to send countless troops into battle, facing heavy casualties and embarrassing military defeats.
As the war continues and the country's humiliation deepens, Devine expects Putin's popularity to decline.
Ukraine remains committed to repelling Russia's invasion attempts and continues to garner strong support from the West.
In addition, the European Union's efforts to oblige Ukraine to provide it with NATO protection represent a significant strategic loss for Putin.
Local resident Tetiana inspects her destroyed apartment at the site of a drone attack on a residential building in Kiev (Kiev), Ukraine, amid the Russian invasion. Oleg Petrasyuk/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Devine fears things won't get “better” any time soon, with both sides unwilling to back down despite rising costs.
“The Ukrainians will not give them any territory. Putin will not retreat.
“But you can lower the temperature. They have to switch off when it becomes clear to everyone that there is no longer any hope for Putin to win.
“He won’t lose in a technical sense. He will not be forced back to Russia. Anyone who waits for this is giving themselves false hope.
“But I don’t think it’s too far away. I think next year we will see almost a permanent stalemate.”
Whatever happens with Putin, Devine said the person who replaces him probably won't be dramatically different.
This makes it all the more important to keep an eye on the so-called “axis of evil” China, Iran and Russia.
“They are trying to pull their allies into an alliance and an axis,” he said.
“And I think we can see that demonstrated by the Hamas attack in Israel and the way Russia is going about it.
“Putin’s expansionist abilities are currently psychological and political, and I think he is making some progress in the non-European world.”
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