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Putin Rocked by a ‘Palace Coup’ Among His Top Henchmen
The Daily Beast • • world
Key Points:
- Sergei Alpatov, head of the FSB’s Economic Security Service, has abruptly left his position amid a power struggle within Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, with reports suggesting either health reasons or pressure due to his investigations targeting allies of billionaire Arkady Rotenberg.
- The ouster of Alpatov is reportedly the first step in a larger shake-up expected to include the retirement of Alexander Bortnikov, the longtime head of the FSB since 2008, who is said to have been seeking retirement for some time.
- Recent arrests and subsequent releases of individuals connected to the Rotenberg family, including Konstantin Makhov and Ilya Traber, indicate a complex influence battle involving Putin’s associates, with Putin allegedly intervening to protect the Rotenbergs’ interests.
- Alpatov’s removal is viewed as a direct consequence of this internal conflict, with sources indicating he was scapegoated for actions perceived as threatening to the Rotenberg faction and potentially Putin’s own power.
