A FATHER and son from one of Russia’s most powerful and influential families are tipped as heirs to Putin’s tyrannical dynasty.
West-hating former spymaster Nikolai Patrushev and his mega-rich son Dmitry have been named as potential successors after being proclaimed the “new nobility”.
APRumours of Putin’s declining health sparked talks about his successor[/caption]
GettyNikolai Patrushev, a close ally to Putin for 25 years, holds strong animosity towards West[/caption]
GettyDmitry Patrushev, one of the richest ministers in Russia, is predicted to replace the tyrant[/caption]
Nikolai Patrushev, 72, is a Secretary of Russia’s Security Council and close pal of the warmonger.
Putin’s and Patrushev’s careers have long intertwined ever since both served for the Federal Security Service (FSB) in the nineties.
In 1998, Putin was a chairman of the FSB, while Patrushev was first deputy, then first deputy director of the FSB.
When Putin took over reigns of Russia, Patrushev was appointed the director of the FSB, the role which he fulfilled for eight long years.
Putin’s close ally has been long hailed Russia’s future president with some sources claiming he’s preparing to take over the country when Putin’s gone.
Patrushev has striking similarities with Putin, with both being ex-KGB agents and holding strong animosity towards the West.
And he has also been a key helper in silencing Putin’s enemies, as he’s linked to the assassination of a prominent critic Alexander Litvinenko.
In 2016, after a lengthy judicial investigation into the murder of the former Russian agent, the London High Court concluded that the murder was allegedly approved by Patrushev and Putin.
Just today Patrushev said that the West is escalating the situation in Ukraine by providing financial support, reported Interfax.
He also claimed that the West has been preparing Ukraine for the war for the past nine years.
Patrushev is vocal about his support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and his hawkish views of the West.
He said: “The Anglo-Saxons and the collective West as a whole are losing influence, ceasing to be the main subject of international relations.
“For the first time in the history of the existence of nuclear missile weapons, our country is ahead of its competitors in this [nuclear] domain.”
The speculations that Patrushev will eventually lead Russia were fueled by fresh rumours about Putin’s declining health.
Over the past few months, reports have suggested that the tyrant is at his all-time low as he battles cancer, Parkinson’s disease or both.
There also have been talks that Putin uses body doubles to conceal his condition, or even death.
The unsubstantiated claims suggested the 71-year-old died from a heart attack at his Valdai residence and Patrushev continues the regime behind the scenes.
The rumours have surfaced in a Telegram channel, but were quickly denied by the Kremlin.
Patrushev shares Putin’s philosophical stance of preserving Russia’s traditions and wiping out “neo-Nazis” on its doorstep.
His views could even be more extreme than the warmonger’s, as he accused the US of “hidden agenda” to destroy the integrity of Russian Federation as they have once done with USSR.
But age is not on Patrushev’s side: at 72, he is a year older than Putin.
He may only be a transitional figure should he become a president, reports Politico.
But that wouldn’t stop Patrushev’s family from getting to power, as his son, Dmitry, is also on the path to become Putin’s successor.
GettyAlexander Litvinenko is believed to have been killed on the orders of Putin and Patrushev[/caption]
Dmitry Patrushev, the minister of agriculture in Russia, have been under the radar as he hid in the shadows of his more outspoken father.
But his silence isn’t to be mistaken for absence of ambition.
The 44-year-old was named the most likely candidate by a Russian political scientist, reports Freedom.
Dmitry has been known as the most modest ministers in Russia, but not due to his humble lifestyle, on the contrary, he’s one of the richest civil servants in Russia.
The minister lead a quiet life away from the public eye and managed to hide his wealth more carefully than others.
His impressive estate isn’t even registered with Federal Service of State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography of Russia.
Dmitry reportedly owns a 2000 square foot mansion in the country’s capital.
The massive property is fit for nobility – and this is a position which the Partrushev family were also handed in 2007.
Patrushev and his entire family became symbolic aristocrats with their surname included in the third part of the All-Russian Noble Genealogy Book.
The princeling and his father have accumulated an impressive wealth, suitable for a royal family.
Recently, Russian media reported how the state protects the secrets of Patrushev family, hiding their assets and helping evade Western sanctions.
The journalists claim that Nikolai hides his real identity under a different name – Lukov Evgeny Fedorovich.
The database reveals that Lukov Evgeny’ taxpayer identification number matched Patrushev’s.
Taxpayer number is one for life and does not change even if other personal data is completely changed, Novaya Gazeta notes.
Patrushev’s close alliance with the dictator and their efforts to advance each other’s interests may further fuel the theories of Putin’s approval of Patrushev’s succession.
However, Russian opposition journalist, Igor Yakovenko, told 24TV that this scenario is completely unrealistic.
Putin understands perfectly well that any successor of his – Patrushev, Kiriyenko or anyone else, whoever he appoints, will definitely betray him. After all, this successor will take over Russia, torn to shreds. And the responsibility for all the troubles will be placed on Putin,” Yakovenko said.
He also added that in order to retain power, the new president will have to dispose of the dictator.
“He will either give Putin to people who want to deal with him inside Russia itself or hand over the dictator to an international tribunal in order to avoid responsibility himself,” Yakovenko said.
Russian political scientist, Abbas Galyamov, agreed that Patrushevs might not be the next-in-line.
He believes that Putin could surprise everyone and name a successor that no one’s suspected yet.
Another potential frontrunner for the tyrant’s seat is claimed to be “a lunatic” worse than Putin.
Sergey Glazyev, Putin’s economic adviser, has been described as a “lunatic”, who has frequently discussed “nuking the whole West”.
In the meantime, the talks of Putin sham election resurfaced as Kremlin sources claimed he is set to run for presidency next year.
If re-elected, the tyrant would stay in power until at least 2030.
But Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, has denied such reports.
“Putin has not yet made any statements on this matter. And the campaign itself has not yet been officially announced,” Peskov told RIA Novosti.
AFPPatrushev and Putin, both ex-KGB agents, remained close for years[/caption]
GettyPutin helped Dmitry Patrushev hide his immense wealth from western sanctions[/caption]
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