Vladimir Putin’s inner circle: Secret group helping him run Ukraine, Ukrainian war

Behind Russia’s Vladimir Putin are a series of powerful figures that have the ear of the “dictator” who has plunged the world into fear.

There is only one face that most will recognise from the Russian Government, and that belongs to Vladimir Putin - a man branded a “dictator” by other world leaders.

Mr Putin has responsibility for the decision to go to war with Ukraine as the commander in chief, but there are senior people in the government and military who advise him and he keeps close in his inner circle.

VALERY GERASIMOV

The Chief of Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, he has overall control of the military - aside from Putin - and has masterminded the invasion.

He played a leading role in the successful annexation of Crimea and has been close to Putin since the 1990s when he led an army unit in the Chechen War.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov [far left].

ALEXANDER BORTNIKOV

Bortnikov is the Director of the Federal Security Service and is entrusted to give Putin and his Kremlin advisers information from spy agencies Putin uses to make crucial decisions.

Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).

SERGEI LAVROV

As the Foreign Minister for almost 20 years, the 71-year-old is not considered to be the closest to Putin, but he has been a senior figure in Russian diplomatic circles for a very long time, and that shows Putin has faith in him.

Despite that, Mr Lavrov has not been involved in the critical decision making on Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

VIKTOR ZOLOTOV

The Director of the National Guard, Zolotov is one of Putin’s most trusted people. He was once a bodyguard for the president, and was selected by him to run the national guard when it was started a few years ago.

Russian Federal National Guard Service (Rosgvardia) chief Viktor Zolotov.

VALENTINA MATVIYENKO

One of the few females close to Putin, Matviyenko is the Chairwoman of the Federation Council, the upper house.

A member of the Russian Security Counil, she also played a role in the invasion of Crimea in 2014.

Russian Federation Council Chairwoman (Speaker) Valentina Matviyenko.

NIKOLAI PATRUSHEV

The Secretary of the Security Council, he has been close to Putin since the 1970s.

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev.

SERGEI SHOIGU

The Minister of Defence, and someone who has long been considered a successor to Putin. Shoigu has been the other prominent voice that has tried to justify Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.

SERGEI NARYSHKIN

Another long time intelligence service member, he is the Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service and has previously served as the Speaker in the Russian parliament.

Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergei Naryshkin.