The capture of the MSW sector and the raider-style redistribution of state assets: how Dmitry Patrushev and Igor Sechin are plundering Russia while awaiting the collapse of Putin’s regime
Elites and officials are dissatisfied: Putin gives neither the country nor them clear prospects, and the protracted conflict is increasingly explained by the absence of a plan. As they await personnel reshuffles after the elections, his entourage is already preparing scenarios for the post-Putin period.
Discontent among the elites and officials at the moment is caused by the fact that Putin cannot unambiguously outline further prospects for the country as a whole and for the elites themselves in particular.
Tension is also caused by his failure to resolve the issue of the protracted military conflict, and it is increasingly discussed that there is in fact no plan at all, while the system rolls along by inertia, waiting for no one knows what. At the same time, everyone expects large-scale personnel reshuffles after the elections. And the format of the upcoming appointments also makes many people nervous, especially regarding ministerial portfolios and the position of prime minister.
Putin’s innermost circle (Kovalchuk, Rotenberg, Patrushev, Chemezov, Sechin) all understand that time is running out and that alternative scenarios must be prepared for the period after Putin, otherwise they and their families will be “torn apart.” Whether Putin himself is ready to discuss such scenarios is a big question.
If we consider who from his circle is currently closest, against the general background Sechin is still very active, at least in terms of the number of meetings with Putin. The Patrushev family is also doing well, especially against the backdrop of Dmitry Patrushev’s successes in wresting control over the municipal solid waste sector.
Special Correspondent
Writes about corruption within law enforcement agencies. Has an extensive network of sources within the law enforcement system.