The former deputy head of the Russian presidential administration, politician Dmitry Kozak, was one of those who were not afraid to speak out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in front of Vladimir Putin.
On the second day of the war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin ordered Dmitry Kozak to demand Ukraine’s surrender. However, he refused, arguing that he did not know what the Russian president wanted to achieve by launching an invasion, writes the New York Times.
Moreover, when tensions between the two reached high levels, Kozak stated that he was ready to be arrested or shot for his disobedience.
Subsequently, it was reported that Putin turned on a loudspeaker so that high-ranking officials could hear a rare moment of defiance against the Russian president.
Kozak resigned in September 2025, a month after it was published that he was opposed to the war. After this information, six other journalists confirmed Kozak’s opposition to the war.
At the same time, they claim that his position is shared by many representatives of the business and cultural environment, as well as other government officials. In particular, a new wave of dissatisfaction with Putin’s actions emerged against the backdrop of his refusal to end the war under the favorable conditions offered by US President Donald Trump.
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