As the ruling system in Russia continues to evolve, so does President Putin’s reliance on his inner circle. The Ministry of Defense is undergoing significant changes, with former Minister Sergei Shoigu gone and his loyalists gradually being replaced. In an effort to address corruption issues and deficiencies in soldier supplies, President Putin has appointed new staff to Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.
Anna Tsivileva and Pavel Fradkov have been appointed as Belousov’s new deputies, focusing on social issues, accommodation, construction, and infrastructure projects. Both Tsivileva and Fradkov are believed to be close relatives of Putin – Tsivileva is thought to be his second cousin while Fradkov is the son of former Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. This trend of appointing relatives of influential individuals into key positions highlights a lack of renewal and rejuvenation in the state apparatus.
Putin’s daughters have also started to play more visible roles in public events, suggesting an increasing presence of influential relatives in the political system. The appointment of Andrei Turchak as governor of a remote province despite his previous high-ranking position underscores the unpredictable nature of Putin’s favoritism. While nepotism and political inbreeding are common in Russia, they signify a stagnant and unchanging system that can make it difficult for new ideas or perspectives to take root.
As Putin prepares for a potential transfer of power, his reliance on the next generation of his inner circle – descendants of his security personnel – is becoming increasingly pronounced. The lack of initiative and independent thinking due to the repression of dissidents further reinforces the rigidity of the political system in Russia. Despite occasional shifts in power dynamics, no one is truly immune to the uncertainties that come with Putin’s rule.
Overall, it seems that Russia’s ruling class remains firmly entrenched in their positions through familial ties rather than meritocracy or democratic processes.
