Russian fugitives form ‘club of angry patriots’, fearing military defeat in Ukraine

April 9 (United Press International) — A group of prominent Russian nationalists has announced the formation of the so-called “Angry Patriots Club” in support of a faction of pro-war officials in the Kremlin.

The announcement was made in a Russian-language video share on youtube April 1 and Validated by War Research Institutea think tank based in Washington, D.C., on Saturday.

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According to the think tank, the group was founded by former Russian military officer Igor Gilkin to help Russia win wars and avoid conflicts within Russia. Gilkin was an international fugitive convicted of murder by a Dutch court for shooting down a Malaysia Airlines flight in 2014.

“I’m not afraid to say we’re heading for military defeat,” Gilkin said, according to a insider translation.

Gilkin called on Russia to “be more aggressive” in waging war in Ukraine, fully mobilized the Russian population, and criticized Russia’s defense minister Sergey Shoiguan investigator with independent intelligence firm Bellingcat told Ukrainian news media New Voice.

“Club members say that if Moscow does not drastically improve the situation on the front line, Russia will soon face defeat in Ukraine and possibly experience a pro-Western coup or civil war,” ISW analysts wrote.

“These members claim that Russian officials cannot improve the war and its impact on Russian society because most Kremlin officials belong to the anti-war faction.”

According to reports, members of the organization said in the video that anti-war factions within the Kremlin advocate a peaceful solution to regain overseas wealth after Western sanctions.

According to ISW analysts, “the group also said it was trying to build a defensive network against a Russian coup in such an event.”

“Members declared that the group operates within the Russian legal framework and will not get involved in armed conflict, but instead will focus on raising public awareness in Russia and making Russian executive officials aware of the dangers facing the Russian regime.”