Infighting In The Kremlin?

L.A. Times: Conviction of ex-minister in Russia points to Kremlin infighting

A Russian court Friday sentenced a former economy minister to eight years in a high-security prison on accusations that he took a $2-million bribe from a Kremlin aide close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The trial against Alexei Ulyukayev points to what many analysts think could be signs of internal power struggles in the Kremlin. Putin, 65, will face reelection next year, and by all expectations, he will win and rule for another six years until 2024. That will make him the longest-serving Russian leader since Stalin.

But who will replace him remains unanswered, and analysts think the case against Ulyukayev may indicate that the Kremlin’s inner circle already is working to fill Putin’s chair after his departure.

Ulyukayev, 62, is the highest-ranking Russian official to stand trial in post-Soviet Russia. Prosecutors said Ulyukayev extorted a bribe from state oil firm Rosneft to give his approval on the purchase of another oil company. He was arrested in November 2016 at Rosneft’s headquarters during a sting operation orchestrated by the Federal Security Service, the successor agency to the Soviet KGB.

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WNU Editor: Being sentenced to a Russian penal colony for eight years is no picnic. And at his age (62) .... an open question on what will be the state of his health when it is over. As to reports of Kremlin infighting .... this started about a year or two ago, and I expect it to intensify until Putin is officially gone .... which will be by 2024.

More News On Reports Of Political Infighting In Putin's Inner Circle

Ex-minister's harsh jail sentence sends shockwaves through Russian elite -- The Guardian

ancy Sausages and a $2 Million Bribe: A Trial Uncovers Kremlin Infighting -- New York Times

Two Russian Power Brokers Dueled. Putin Stayed Out - Bloomberg
Guilty verdict for Russian ex-economy minister Ulyukayev 'groundless' - Putin adviser -- Reuters
Alexei Ulyukayev trial: Kremlin airs its dirty laundry in rare public display of division -- The Independent