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Vladimir Putin’s inner circle
The secret group with the ear of a 'dictator'
Behind Vladimir Putin is a group of powerful, trusted figures who have the ear of the Russian President.
This is the loyal inner circle advising Putin on the Ukraine conflict.
The Chief of Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Gerasimov has overall control of the military —aside from Putin — and has masterminded the invasion.
Valery Gerasimov
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.
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 started a few years ago.
Viktor Zolotov
The Chairwoman of the Federation Council and a member of the Russian Security Council, Matviyenkoshe played a key role in the invasion of Crimea in 2014.
Valentina Matviyenko
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
Minister of Defence, Shoigu has long been considered a possible successor to Putin. Shoigu has been the other prominent voice that has tried to justify Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sergei Shoigu
A former a KGB security officer, Patrushev has been the Secretary of the Security Council since 2008 and close to Putin since the 1970s. 
Nikola Patrushev
As the Foreign Minister for almost 20 years, the 71-year-old is not the closest to Putin, but he has been a senior figure in Russian diplomatic circles for a long time.
Sergei Lavrov
Another long-time intelligence service member, Naryshkin is the Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service and has previously served as the Speaker in the Russian parliament.
Sergei Naryshkin
																																								

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/web-stories/free/herald-sun/vladimir-putins-inner-circle-secret-group-helping-run-ukrainian-war