Is A Power Struggle Taking Place Inside The Kremlin?

Reuters

Jacob Heilbrunn, National Interest: Interview with Konstantin Remchukov: Why Vladimir Putin Will Likely Resign In 2024

National Interest editor Jacob Heilbrunn interviews the leading Russian journalist and Moscow local official Konstantin Remchukov about whether Russian president Vladimir Putin is initiating a brutal crackdown against political and media figures inside Russia—and whether a power struggle is taking place inside the Kremlin.

Jacob Heilbrunn: You originally thought the vote on Russian president Vladimir Putin’s extension in office would lead to a less restrictive Russia. But is the reverse occurring?

Konstantin Remchukov: No, my perception is that constitutional changes brought an end to the opposition’s political line, which was called transition. Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Alexei Navalny have been pushing for years ago for a future Russia. They tried to implant in the public mind the idea that the only thing that is worth talking about is a transition from Putin’s Russia. The response from Putin, however, was unexpected, namely, the drastic change in the constitution that allows him to run in 2024. By these legal acts the Kremlin stopped the entire concept of transition. It’s irrelevant. That was Putin’s idea about how to react to the opposition strategy.

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WNU Editor: No one that I know in Russia is enthusiastic that Putin may run again in 2024. No one. And while Russian journalist and Moscow local official Konstantin Remchukov believes in the above interview that President Putin will resign, I say he will not simply because there is no one that he believes is ready to replace him.

Russian President Putin Shows Russian Journalists His 'Secret Room' In The Kremlin

Sputnik: Putin Shows Russian Journalists His 'Secret Room' in Kremlin

Footage related to the Russian president’s "secret room" is part of a documentary called "Russia, the Kremlin, Putin" that is due to be released on the TV channel Rossiya 1 on 21 June.

President Vladimir Putin has shown journalists from the Russian TV channel Rossiya 1 what one of its reporters called the president's "secret room".

After showing the journalists his office, Putin then told them that "there are a dining room and a relaxation room" behind the office’s door.

"But I warn you, I did not make any preparations there [beforehand], so there is a working atmosphere in the rooms. You are probably the first [journalists] to visit it", the Russian president said.

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WNU Editor: He leads the journalists to his private office at the 2:30 mark in the above video. I am willing to bet that when he is at the Kremlin, this is the office that he primarily uses. There is a lot of detail in the above video.From his security detail trying to stay discreet to his "private office". I am also surprised that he made the decision to drag the camera crew to his private office. Is this his way to show that he is now "transparent"?

Russian President Putin Is Protected From Coronavirus By Disinfection Tunnels

RFE: Kremlin 'Installs Disinfectant Tunnels' To Protect Putin Against Coronavirus

News reports say the Kremlin has installed special disinfecting tunnels in an effort to protect President Vladimir Putin from being infected with the coronavirus.

The state news agency RIA-Novosti reported on June 16 that the devices, manufactured by a company based in the city of Penza, had been placed at Putin’s residence in Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow.

The Associated Press, meanwhile, cited Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on July 17 that one such device was installed at the president’s home and two at the Kremlin.

"When it comes to the head of the state, additional precautionary measures are justified," Peskov was quoted by AP as saying.

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More News On Russian President Putin Being Protected From Coronavirus By Disinfection Tunnels

Russia's Putin protected from coronavirus by disinfection tunnels -- Reuters
Putin's residence and the Kremlin have walk-through disinfectant tunnels to guard against coronavirus -- CNN
Putin has 'disinfection tunnel' to protect him from coronavirus -- AFP
Putin has a ‘disinfection tunnel’ to protect him from the coronavirus -- CNBC
Putin Has Three 'Disinfection Tunnels' To Shield Him From COVID -- Zero Hedge
Disinfection tunnels installed in Kremlin, Putin's official suburban residence -- TASS
Kremlin Spokesman Sheds Light on 'Extra' Safety Measures Used to Protect Putin From COVID-19 – Video -- Sputnik
Kremlin & Putin residence equipped with Covid-19 'disinfection tunnels' - everyone he meets is tested (VIDEO) -- RT

Russian President Putin's Longtime Spokesman Dmitry Peskov Hospitalized With COVID-19

FILE PHOTO © Sputnik / Natalia Seliverstova

RT: Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov hospitalized in Moscow with Covid-19

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that he has tested positive for coronavirus and is now in hospital. Peskov, a household name in Russia, has worked with President Vladimir Putin for twenty years.

“That’s right, I am ill. I’m getting treatment,” he said when asked about his diagnosis by reporters. He told news agency TASS that he last had personal contact with Putin more than a month ago. Reporters from RIA Novosti's 'Kremlin pool' noted that the Press Secretary was last seen in public 12 days ago.

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WNU Editor: Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov was last seen 12 days ago. This happened when Russian Prime Minister Mishustin was tested positive on April 30 .... Russian Prime Minister Mishustin tests positive for coronavirus as national total tops 100,000 cases (RT). As for President Putin, he has made himself scarce only showing himself once or twice a week giving a round-up of Covid-19 news. It is obvious that Putin is now in some quarantine situation, and is minimizing contact with basically everyone.

Russian President Putin's Longtime Spokesman Dmitry Peskov Hospitalized With COVID-19

Kremlin spokesman Peskov confirms he has contracted COVID-19 -- TASS
Putin's Spokesman Hospitalized With Coronavirus -- Moscow Times
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov Hospitalised with COVID-19 -- Sputnik
Russia: Putin’s spokesman hospitalized with coronavirus -- AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman tests positive for coronavirus -- Reuters
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov Hospitalized For COVID-19 -- RFE
Putin's Longtime Spokesman Hospitalized With COVID-19 -- Zero Hedge

Russian President Putin Has Fired Long Term Aide Vladislav Surkov

Vladislav Surkov © Alexei Druzhinin/TASS

TASS: Putin removes Surkov from presidential aide office

The order is effective on the day of signing

MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed an executive order to release Vladislav Surkov from the position of his aide, the Kremlin’s press service said.

"To relieve Vladislav Surkov from the position of the aide to the Russian president," the order reads.

The order also notes that it is effective on the day of signing.

Surkov was appointed Putin’s aide in September 2013. He headed the Russian Presidential Directorate for Social and Economic Cooperation with the Commonwealth of Independent States Member Countries, the Republic of Abkhazia, and the Republic of South Ossetia. Following the coup d’etat in Ukraine in winter 2014, he was also put in charge of the Ukrainian policy and issues of the Donbass settlement. He took part in preparations for Normandy Four meetings and was engaging in contacts with the US Department of State representatives on the Ukrainian crisis issues.

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WNU Editor: This is big news. Known as the Kremlin's Grey Cardinal, he has been with Putin since the beginning. His departure, like that of former Prime Minister Medvedev last month, is a signal to me that big changes are underway in the Kremlin. What are those changes? IMHO it all revolves around President Putin positioning himself to stay in power, and removing those who he feels will be an obstacle to him.

More News On Russian President Putin Firing Long Term Aide Vladislav Surkov

Putin orders to remove Surkov from Russian presidential aide office -- RT
Vladislav Surkov: Russia's Putin dismisses secretive adviser -- BBC
Putin sacks prominent Kremlin ideologue, Ukraine hardliner -- Reuters
Putin Fires Longtime Aide, Ex-Ukraine Peace Negotiator Surkov -- RFE

Here Is A Look Inside The Kremlin

Katie Warren/Business Insider

Insider: The Kremlin is the official residence of President Vladimir Putin. It's protected by an elite military regiment and has walls up to 21 feet thick — here's a look inside.

* The Kremlin is a fortified complex in the center of Moscow, Russia, made up of more than 15 buildings, 20 towers, and more than 1.5 miles of walls that are up to 21 feet thick.
* Since 1991, it's been the official residence of Russia's president, currently President Vladimir Putin.
* The complex is protected by an elite military regiment whose members must be able to hear a whisper from 20 feet away.
* On a recent trip to Russia, I visited the Kremlin. I had always imagined the Kremlin being full of administrative buildings, but instead I found beautiful palaces, cathedrals, museums, and gardens.

The Moscow Kremlin is a fortified complex in the center of the city made up of more than 15 buildings, 20 towers, and more than 1.5 miles of walls that are up to 21 feet thick. It's the official residence of President Vladimir Putin, although he doesn't actually live there.

While there are actually many kremlins throughout Russia, Moscow's is, by far, the most famous.

On a recent trip to Russia, I paid $10.50 for a ticket to visit a section of the Kremlin. Here's what it looks like inside.

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WNU Editor: My uncle gave me a good tour of the place in 1992 (at the time he was a senior officer in the military/government). Judging from the pictures in this post, nothing has changed since then. On a side note, Russian President Putin does not live in the Kremlin. When he is in Moscow he lives here.

Recent Mysterious Military Helicopter Flights Over Kremlin Are Explained

© Sputnik / Maksim Blinov

Sputnik: Reason for Mysterious Military Helicopter Flights Over Kremlin Revealed

As Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained, the Kremlin is the residence of the head of state and a high security site, so it’s perfectly normal for men responsible for the president’s safety to conduct drills there.

Russia’s Federal Protective Service (FSO), a federal government agency responsible for protection of high-ranking officials including the President of Russia, told Sputnik that the recent helicopter flight over Kremlin was part of the drills conducted there.

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WNU Editor: Like the White House, there is a no-fly zone over the Kremlin. Seeing a whole bunch of them flying around the Kremlin will spook anyone.

Book Review: All the Kremlin’s Men: Inside the Court of Vladimir Putin

John Kampfner, the Guardian: All the Kremlin’s Men: Inside the Court of Vladimir Putin – review

Mikhail Zygar’s compelling study shines a light on the fearful band of acolytes second-guessing the wishes of the Russian leader

On the day I finished reading this book, two newspaper articles caught my attention. A former head of the armed forces warned that the UK could not withstand a Russian attack; on the US presidential campaign trail, more evidence emerged of Vladimir Putin’s support for Donald Trump.

Of the many accounts written about the Russian president, Mikhail Zygar’s insider’s guide to his court is one of the most compelling. Zygar, a prominent journalist, has clearly earned the confidence of many. He tiptoes carefully; a number of journalists and their sources who have tried to disclose details of the cash that Putin and his henchmen have squirrelled away have ended up dead or in jail.

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WNU Editor: Hmmm ... something to read in the next few weeks.

A Look At Russia's Presidential Guard

Sputnik: The Best of the Best: A Day With Russia’s Elite Soldiers

In the Presidential Regiment, which celebrated its 80th anniversary this year, officers and soldiers are called the “face of the country and the army,” since they are on duty at the Kremlin walls and ensure the safety of Russian state leaders.

Learn what it takes to be an elite soldier and guard of honor.

The best of the best

The Presidential Regiment Service Command of the Moscow Kremlin FSO includes three battalions, a cavalry honor guard and an operational reserve battalion. However, the most famous is considered to be the first guard of honor. Soldiers who serve in it stand on guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Many would like to be part of it, but only less than half of the candidates get the desired place.

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WNU Editor: Like the U.S. Marines at the White House .... an impressive group of men.

Moscow Victory Day Aerial Rehersal (Photo Gallery)

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

A Mi-8 helicopter during Su-34, Su-27 and MiG-29 aircraft during the aerial rehearsal of the May 9 Victory Parade in Moscow. © Sputnik/ Vladimir Astapkovich

Sputnik: Breathtaking Stunt Flying: First Aerial Rehearsal of Moscow Victory Parade

The first rehearsal of the aerial part of the Victory Day parade was held in the sky over Moscow on May 5. The most advanced Russian long-range, military transport, bombing, fighting and army planes flew in one united formation 200 meters above Red Square.

WNU Editor: The above picture is one of the best aerial pics that I have ever seen of the Kremlin. Click on the image to enlarge it.

The history behind those walls ....

Kremlin Strategy On Obama

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev

Kremlin Opts For Charm Over Strong Arm On
Missile Defence -- The Guardian

Medvedev drops threats after talking to Obama
President-elect yet to reveal stance on shield

Russia switched deftly from threats to charm yesterday in an effort to exploit indications that Barack Obama could be persuaded to scrap Bush administration plans to deploy a missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Speaking after meeting the US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, in Sharm el-Sheikh, the Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov said Moscow was expecting a more flexible approach from the US once Obama took office.

"We have paid attention to the positions that Barack Obama has published on his site. They inspire hope that we can examine these questions in a more constructive way," the RIA Novosti news agency quoted Lavrov as saying.

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My Comment: They must have had a good talk on the phone yesterday.