Why Putin Became A Killer

As Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine continues, we look at how Putin degenerated from a corrupt but measured autocrat, to a delusional tyrant at war the with West.

In this video we look at 4 stages of degeneration Vladimir Putin went through as leader of Russia 1999-2022. This is what led to Putin's invasion of Ukraine, war against the West, and partial slide into totalitarianism at home.

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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Putin's political journey
02:25 Phase 1, Putin as a measured autocrat
07:32 Phase 2, Putin develops a sense of mission
10:55 Phase 3, Putin get paranoid
15:14 Phase 4, Putin loses touch with reality
16:40 Putin, politics, killing
17:56 Key lesson for democracy

[VladVexler]

WATCH NEXT:
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THIS explains why Russia starts insane wars

You can now support Vlad's work on Patreon!

[Intellllect]

Hi Vlad. As a russian I'm quite surprised how precise your insights about situation in our country are. Almost all immigrants tends to lose grip of reality about what is actually happening here, but not you. I'm so glad that I discovred you channel, please continue your fantastic work!

[AbsolutelyRandomUsername]

I'm Russian (and obviously so are you), and I have to compliment you on your excellent understanding of Russian politics; perhaps even more importantly your ability to capture the "zeitgeist" of each of Putin's terms. Many political analysts do not possess this gift despite being wildly redarged as experts, but you do. 10/10, would recommend this video to any non-Russian trying to understand what's inside Putin's head.

[KnightsWithoutATable]

Starting off as a KGB agent didn't help, probably. When you are taught during your formative years that killing people or oppressing them is a perfectly valid option at any time for any problem you are going to only view one life as valuable: your own.

[OstblockLatina]

Yeltsin's expression is going to haunt me in my dreams. He is saying so much in that scene without saying anything. And he is so tragically right about it.

[verenasophie]

Vlad, your channel got recommended to me only very recently by a friend, but in this short time I've grown to appreciate your videos very much. Every time your explanations make me pause, and stop, and think - and challenge my mind with new perspectives. Your channel is a rare game on YouTube, thank you for your work.

[youtubewatcher]

A train wreck is not quite the right metaphor. It is watching a fatal disease, the death of what we used to call one's humanity, through time. Thank you for your well layed out insights.

[mitanni]

Understanding Russia for a Westerner (like me) feels like mission impossible. It's critical and knowledgeable exiles like Vlad that lift the veil.

[Todd.B]

when you talked about how Putin needing to check his power every day and keep rechecking it, it reminded me of a person who feels unworthy of love and constantly makes other prove their love.

[georgejackson]

This is an amazing forensic examination of the mind of a dictator and how vlad got to where he is and why. You really know what you're talking about and educating us who are less informed. Thank you.

[stevesloan]

A polished, insighful, and thought provoking analysis. Thank you.

[rmorren]

Your comment on Limitless Power inevitably leading to Paranoia really stuck with me. I've never conceived of paranoia growing like that, yet it hold true for just about all modern dictators, including Putin. Very well said.

[Anna-flsv]

I'm completely fascinated. Please make more on this subject. Thank you.

[GarthBuxton]

Vlad, you are one of the best channels on Youtube. Politics and psychological analysis mixed and presented in a truly meaningful way. I salute you!

[SomeOne-mpym]

Well done Vlad!!! So much work went into this piece and it's deeply appreciated. The final message is that humans cannot wield ultimate power for an indeterminate time. The result will always be the same.
I really appreciate the education on Putin in particular. Thank you!

[TheHighlanderprime]

Super segment Vlad !!! That was a riveting and inarguable presentation! To bring this wealth of insightful and intellectually astute educational information in roughly 20 minutes deserves a special award.
I am definitely passing the word to critical thinking friends about your channel.

[TinyFlyThing]

I'm austrian, my husband is russian and i'm really grateful for your content. He explains a lot of things to me, but I'm also trying to research on my own, so we can have an equal discussion and not a one way stream. And your videos are super helpful in that.

[markbrisec]

I think Yeltsin realized in that moment in time his grave mistake of installing Putin as his successor. Although he was a joke and a drunk, he was a giant of a man compared to Putin...
P.S. What an incredible video. I never saw it.. Great job Mr. Vexler...

[rigormoritz]

Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

[LarsPallesen]

Thank you for this great analysis, Vlad. In twenty minutes you managed to enlighten me more about Putin and the developments in Russian society than any other analyst so far. Thanks!