Putin's paranoia leads to mass purges among closest allies
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, fearing for his security, has launched an unprecedented wave of repression against his inner circle, including top generals and longtime allies.
According to information provided by Anton Herashchenko, former deputy interior minister of Ukraine, serious cracks are appearing in Russia's power system. Herashchenko stated on social media platform X that the Kremlin is experiencing a "war of all against all," accompanied by unprecedented arrests. Putin has reportedly begun mass purges, detaining even those long considered untouchable.
One high-profile case is the arrest of St. Petersburg businessman Ilya Traber, who has known Putin since the 1990s but was detained by the FSB in June on suspicion of involvement in a contract killing. Shortly after, former head of the Federal Air Transport Agency Konstantin Makhov was arrested; his name is linked to billionaire Arkady Rotenberg, one of Putin's childhood friends.
In the Ministry of Defense, a major purge is underway under the guise of anti-corruption efforts. Former Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov was sentenced to 13 years in prison for accepting a bribe of over $16.6 million. Former First Deputy Defense Minister Ruslan Tsalikov was arrested in March for embezzlement worth billions of rubles. Also arrested were Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetsov, head of the Main Personnel Directorate, and Major General Vadim Shamarin, head of the Main Communications Directorate. Former commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army, Ivan Popov, was charged with stealing metal structures intended for defensive fortifications.
Repression extends to regional officials. Former Sochi mayor Alexei Kopaigorodsky and Ufa mayor Ratmir Mavliev were detained for bribery and illegal land dealings. Criminal proceedings have been launched against former regional governors. Media reports indicate that Putin does not leave the Kremlin for days and his meetings are kept secret. The article suggests Putin is desperately trying to eliminate any potential threats to his power.
