An international relations expert believes the “long term” threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin will come from within his own country.

It comes as Russia ramps up its military presence in Ukraine after encountering stronger than expected resistance.

Former intelligence analyst Dr David Wright-Neville said the Russian President is walking a fine line.

“It’s clear that there is a mood hostile to the conflict in Russia itself,” he told Neil Mitchell on 3AW Mornings.

“That explains the energy the Russian state is using in shutting down critical website, intimidating journalists, dragging demonstrators off the street and so on.

“In the short term typically what this means is that you do get a superficial level of acceptance, but bubbling beneath the surface is an increasingly intense rage that can erupt at some point.

“So if Russia is bogged down in Ukraine … and then it’s got increasing domestic problems at home, that will stretch the security services, and it might open up an opportunity for someone to emerge, and eventually challenge Putin.”

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