Kremlin insiders fear Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was a “catastrophic” mistake which could set the super power back for several years, according to reports.
The losses from the “special military operation” have continued to pile up since the president gave the order in February, with tens of thousands of Russian troops believed dead.
Despite failing in its opening salvo of taking the northern areas of the country including capital Kyiv, Putin believes he is winning his war.
Behind the scenes in Moscow in the corridors of power his cronies are less convinced, according to Bloomberg.
Several people in high-level government posts believe the invasion was a huge mistake - concerns which have been dismissed by their leader.
Putin has also scoffed at warnings from officials of the massive economic cost as several of the world’s biggest brands have turned their backs on Russia, including Coca-Cola and Netflix.
Several were shocked at the speed in which those in the West, including the UK and the US, levied sanctions at the nation, freezing half of the central bank’s billions in reserves.
Many are concerned at the amount of military support which has been drummed up by Ukraine ’s defiant president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Thousands of missiles, including anti-tank weapons, have been received by the under siege nation to fight back against the might of the Russian armed forces.
Several officials have attempted to reason with Putin, pointing out the potential economic impact of the sanctions on everyday people, but they too have fallen on deaf ears.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer previously said he is of the opinion Putin still believes himself the invasion of Ukraine is a success after meeting him last week, and that it has been a necessary war to protect Russian interests.
Mr Nehammer said in an interview with NBC's Meet the Press: "I think he is now in his own war logic.
"I think he believes he is winning the war."
"I told him what I saw. I saw the war crimes. I saw the massive loss of the Russian army."
"And I told him that there is a need for humanitarian corridors for cities like Mariupol or Kharkiv, for example. Civilians need water and we need to take care of the wounded there."
Recalling Putin's response, Nehammer said: "He told me he will cooperate with an international investigation, on the one hand. And on the other hand, he told me that he doesn't trust the Western world.
“This will be the problem now in the future."
Putin has been picking off key figures in the secret police, the FSB, and politicians in a bid to retain his hold on power as the war continues.
