Putin has launched a purge following setbacks in Europe
Following a series of political setbacks in Europe, the Kremlin has begun making personnel changes, including replacing the head of the Rossotrudnichestvo agency.
This was reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.
According to intelligence reports, Yevgeny Primakov, who was responsible for “soft power” initiatives—including work with diaspora communities, cultural diplomacy, and humanitarian projects abroad—has been dismissed from his post.
He was replaced by Igor Chaika, which, according to intelligence assessments, indicates an increase in the influence of security agencies on this instrument of Russian foreign policy.
The SVR notes that Primakov’s resignation was a result of failures in the international sphere, particularly in Hungary and Moldova, where pro-Russian forces did not achieve the expected results.
Intelligence also believes this signals an internal power struggle within Putin’s inner circle—between the political wing of the presidential administration, led by Sergei Kirienko, and the security services, primarily the FSB.
The appointment of Chaika, who has ties to business and security agencies, signifies a shift in approach: instead of “soft influence,” the Kremlin is moving toward tougher methods of control and the pursuit of its interests abroad.
According to intelligence reports, the agency has already begun inspections with the participation of Russian law enforcement agencies, indicating that Rossotrudnichestvo is transitioning to a coercive management model.
In Russia, there are proposalsto ban all Google services.
On December 4, Roskomnadzor announced the blocking of FaceTime, explaining that the messaging app is allegedly used for “organizing and carrying out terrorist acts, recruiting perpetrators, fraud, and other crimes.”
