Generals, heaters, celebrity chefs – These men whisper in Vladimir Putin’s ear – News
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Who are the figures behind and next to the Russian President? And how much power do they really have? An overview.
At first glance, it is clear who is in charge in the Kremlin: in Vladimir Putin’s Russia, the so-called “vertical of power” applies. All the threads come together with the President.
And yet they exist: the central figures in the system. The war in Ukraine has reduced the influence of some and raised prominence for others. Russia expert Ulrich Schmid classifies.
The military
Sergei Shoigu (66), the fallen: Before the war began, the Minister of Defense was considered uncontroversial. But then came the disastrous performance of Russian forces in Ukraine. In the spring, President Putin’s personal friend suddenly disappeared from public view for several weeks. It was later announced that health problems had been the reason for his absence. “Shoigu is under pressure,” says Ulrich Schmid, Professor of Russian Culture and Society at the HSG. Putin’s loyal companion is increasingly being portrayed as a scapegoat.
The powerful men in the Kremlin
Sergei Surovikin (56), the brutal: He is Moscow’s new man in Ukraine. Last week the Kremlin appointed the military commander of the Russian armed forces. Surovikin is considered extremely brutal. He made a name for himself during Moscow’s deployment in Syria, when he commanded the widespread bombing of the city of Aleppo. For Schmid it is no surprise that immediately after Surovikin took office there were widespread rocket attacks in Ukraine. “This is an expression of a new, more aggressive warfare that parts of the Kremlin want.”
The warmongers
Ramzan Kadyrov (46), the bloodhound: After Vladimir Putin, the Chechen warlord is probably the best-known face on the Russian side in the Ukraine war. His martial appearances have earned him the nickname “Putin’s bloodhound”. In 2007, at the age of just 30, he became president of the republic that had fought a decades-long, bloody civil war with Moscow. How much influence he really has in the Kremlin is disputed. «Kadyrov and Putin have a pact. The latter gives the former a free hand in his brutal regime in Chechnya, while Kadyrov guarantees Putin that there will be no new separatist movements in Chechnya.”
You have fallen from grace
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Sergei Naryshkin (67): In a memorable scene in February, in front of cameras and an audience of millions, Putin disciplined and duped the head of the foreign intelligence service when the latter failed to voice his commitment to invade Ukraine fervently enough.
Valery Gerasimov (66), The chief of staff of the Russian army is considered the spiritual father of Russian hybrid warfare, the smooth capture of Crimea in 2014 as his great merit. But like Shoigu, he is blamed for the military failure in Ukraine. Hardliners like Kadyrov publicly criticize him.
Sergei Beseda (68): The colonel general in the FSB was apparently placed under house arrest in the spring. According to rumours, President Putin blames him for the incorrect assessment of the Ukrainian state’s readiness for war.
Dmitry Bulgakov (67): The head of logistics for the Russian army was removed from office by President Putin last month. His successor is Mikhail Mizintsev, who made a name for himself during the siege of Mariupol.
Yevgeny Prigozhin (61), the chef: It is an unusual career that this man has had: from “Putin’s cook” in St. Petersburg, who also supplies the troops of the Russian army, to head of the internationally feared mercenary group Wagner and important adviser to the Russian President.
The Secret Service Agents
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The secret services traditionally have weight in Russia. Their exponents are reverently called “Silowiki” (Eng. “strong men”). President Vladimir Putin himself comes from the KGB school. Two names stand out:
Nikolai Patrushev (70): Between 1999 and 2008 he was head of the Russian secret service FSB. Since then he has held a relatively unprestigious position as secretary of the National Security Council. But Patrushev’s position should not be underestimated, according to insiders. Kremlin experts see him as a possible successor to Vladimir Putin should the strongman fail in Ukraine.
Alexander Bortnikov (70): In 2008 he was appointed head of the FSB secret service, succeeding Patrushev. His main task is to put an end to the opposition in his own country. But he also has a mandate for the territory of the former Soviet republic and thus a possible weak point: Ukraine’s combat readiness was obviously misjudged in the run-up to the war by Moscow.
With the Ukraine war, the unscrupulous methods of the private security company have moved further into the limelight. Videos show Prigozhin recruiting new fighters in prisons. Along with Ramzan Kadyrov, he is considered a hardliner in the Ukraine war. He regularly campaigns for tougher action by Russia in Ukraine. “These figures have now stepped out of the background and are now loudly claiming to be involved in the warfare,” says Russia expert Ulrich Schmid.