The head of the Federal Security Service (FSB), Alexander Bortnikov, aged 73, is terminally ill, anonymous sources told journalist Iulia Taratuta, from the independent station Drojd.
Some press institutions previously reported that Bortnikov was diagnosed with cancer.
“Under these circumstances, it seems that Bortnikov himself asked to withdraw,” Taratuta clarified.
As the head of the Federal Security Service of Russia, Bortnikov is one of the most powerful figures in the country — and one of Putin’s closest trusted men. He plays a crucial role in maintaining the Kremlin’s repressive system, coordinating the repression of dissent, as well as covert operations and acts of sabotage in Western countries and Ukraine, notes NEXTA.
In September, the Telegram channel VChK-OGPU reported that Bortnikov has been on medical leave since May, following a “difficult treatment”.
“A source within the Cheka-OGPU reported that, behind the scenes of the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB), discussions are taking place again regarding the replacement of the agency’s director, which could happen as early as October. The reason is the worsening of an old disease that Alexander Bortnikov suffers from”, the post reads.
However, Taratuta’s sources say that Putin has no reason to dismiss Bortnikov, who is a close ally in terms of repression and ideology, “the closest and most loyal security official of the current government”.
Taratuta emphasizes the aging of Putin’s “political office”:
“People in key positions of the security system in Russia are simply retiring, spending a lot of time in hospitals. Important people even die while in office”.
Details, HERE