The number one requirement for a civil war would require either the military or the populace to rise up against the government. We sorta had the first thing happen and it definitely revealed some major cracks in the Russian dictatorship but the Russian people are still largely compliant. I’m not saying it’s completely far fetched, but “on the edge” really does seem a bit exaggerated. On the other hand, it’s definitely the closest it’s been since Putin came to power. Maybe it’s all relative.