Vladimir Putin restructures Russian power and FSB leadership

Vladimir Putin is implementing systemic changes to the Russian power structure, transforming it into a more militarily centralized apparatus designed for long-term warfare and tighter control over elites. Leaked information from the administration and intelligence officials suggests imminent leadership changes within the Federal Security Service (FSB). These shifts are expected to go beyond routine rotations, signaling a redistribution of power within the Kremlin's competing factions.

There are indications that FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov, who has held the position since 2008, may be replaced as early as October, potentially due to health reasons. The FSB has evolved from a tool of political oversight into a primary pillar of Putin’s power vertical, influencing both domestic politics and key economic sectors.

Parallel to these structural shifts, the Russian state continues to utilize highly controlled political processes, such as recent parliamentary elections, to maintain a facade of legitimacy. These mechanisms, managed by political technologists like Sergey Kiriyenko, serve to mobilize the population and provide a veneer of public support for the regime's actions, including the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.