Unveiling the Potential Threat to Putin's Power: The Wagner Rebellion and its Global Implications
The failed mutiny against Vladimir Putin by Yevgeny Prigozhin has highlighted the importance of armed factions in Russian politics. The current Minister of Defense, Sergei Shoigu, controls the army, navy, and air force and is a skilled political operator, but his recent military failures have tarnished his brand. Another potential power player is Sergei Surovikin, the commander of the Aerospace Forces, who gained public credibility during the Ukraine war. The FSB, Russia's most powerful armed agency, led by Alexander Bortnikov and Nikolai Patrushev, could also play a role in removing Putin if they deemed him a liability. Viktor Zolotov, the head of Russia's national guard, is another figure to watch as he commands a large force and answers directly to Putin.