Who is Oleksandr Bortnikov? Ukrainians believe FSB director will poison, replace Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin is fast losing support both amongst ordinary Russians and also the elite. A new report from Ukrainian intelligence claims that a group of elites is planning to kill Putin and replace him, as the west's sanctions have left them in a tough spot. The report goes as far as to identify a potential successor who could rebuild Russia's ties - out of favor FSB Director Oleksandr Bortnikov.
As we previously reported, the Russian President is extremely well-protected by a group known as 'The Muskateers'. As the Ukraine war has progressed, he's reportedly ordered his lover Alina Kabaeva to be sent to a secret Swiss location. That follows reports from March 1 that his family has been forced into hiding at a Siberian bunker. The steps have been taken reportedly out of fear, as the combination of the sanctions and the slow progress on the ground has left Putin with little internal support.
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It appears a group of elites has now become so furious, they are plotting to remove Putin from power by any means necessary. They've also identified a successor if they are successful. The report was released by Ukraine's Chief Directorate of Intelligence but is yet to be corroborated by western intelligence services.
Who is Oleksandr Bortnikov?
Bortnikov is the current Director of the FSB, Russia's main security agency and the successor to the Soviet-era KGB. It is believed Bortnikov served in the KGB with Putin in Leningrad and has since maintained those close ties to Putin. Reportedly, he's a member of Putin's inner circle but has fallen out of favor in recent months.
A veteran of the KGB, Bortnikov was named Director in 2008 by President Dmitry Medvedev. On the side, he also serves on the board of Sovkomflot, Russia's largest shipping company. Like many of Putin's allies, Bortnikov has been accused of corruption and murder, but none of the charges have ever stuck. Little else is known about Bortnikov, apart from more recent news of his falling-out with Putin.
Reportedly, the FSB was tasked with "analyzing the mood of Ukraine and the ability of the Ukrainian army" using a series of spies inside the nation. Their information has clearly proven to be incorrect, with Russia still struggling to seize key cities three weeks into the war. A large number of military losses have not only forced Putin to fire several generals but also lose faith in Bortnikov, who has now fallen out of favor with the President.
Plan to replace Putin
That falling out, along with Bortnikov's key role in Russia's security, appear to make him the right man to replace Putin. "It is known that Bortnikov and some other influential representatives of the Russian elite are considering various options to remove Putin from power... In particular, poisoning, sudden disease, or any other 'coincidence' is not excluded," the report says.
This report is yet to be verified by western intelligence agencies, so should be taken with a pinch of salt for now. That said, we've seen a series of intelligence leaks, and the drastic effects of sanctions already, so don't be surprised if plans to kill Putin are being made. The longer the war goes on, the more costly it will prove to Russia's oligarchs, many of whom have already had their luxury yachts and homes seized.
