The ruthless regime of KGB thugs & brutal private armies waiting in wings to take Kremlin throne in post-Putin takeover

A RUTHLESS regime of KGB thugs and private armies could storm to power after Vladimir Putin’s reign ends, military analysts have warned. After decades of control, the dictator will likely leave chaos in his wake as different clans within the Kremlin elite “wage civil war” in a merciless bid for the throne. Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin is trying to shift power to loyalists before losing control Credit: Reuters But with growing discontent within Russia’s elites, experts warn of looming chaos Credit: Getty Ukraine war analyst Jason Smart told The Sun: “There’s a very good chance there’s going to be a civil war among the very top class. “From those in the intelligence structure against those in the military and those with their private armies against the veterans. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! “All these different groups are in diametrical opposites to each other. They’re not going to work together.” John Lough, Nato’s first representative to be based in Moscow, said Russia will soon be in search of new leaders amid a growing “expectation of change”. A merciless coalition of secret service officials and private armies are waiting in the wings Credit: EPA Experts predict a period of bloody infighting between the secret service, military and elites Credit: AFP He told The Sun: “For a leader in Putin’s position, in any system of this kind, it is a dangerous moment. “Analysts believe Putin is trying to shift power to his loyalists, giving him space to deal with broader strategic responsibilities. “But he will almost certainly start to lose control.” Waiting in the wings is a merciless coalition of secret service officials and private armies, John said. Most read in The Sun The former top official, now an Associate Fellow at Chatham House, said: “A regime of this kind could strengthen state control of the economy and mobilise more resources in support of its aggressive foreign policy. “It could take a much harsher approach to dissent at home.” And this “brutal collective leadership” could last years, John added. Despite Putin’s efforts to control his transfer of power, a smooth transition is unlikely. Putin is becoming ‘increasingly out of touch’, throwing Russia’s elite clans into chaos Credit: Reuters Putin has been ‘very insistent’ on naming a designated heir, experts say Credit: Alamy Julian Waller, Russian Professor at George Washington University, said: “We don’t know how Putin will exit. He could pass away suddenly, fade from illness or old age or he could face a coup. “Whatever happens, Putin has been very, very insistent on preventing any designated heir. “They could become a threat, an alternative source of power, someone that subordinate elites seize onto. “So right now there is no obvious successor – the field is open.” And as Putin becomes “increasingly out of touch” – Russia’s elite clans are eyeing up their place in the post-Putin regime. Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine has seen the country’s defence costs skyrocket, hitting 15.5trillion roubles (£144bn) in 2025. Facing economic collapse, Putin turned to Russia’s billionaires to keep his war ravaged economy afloat with huge donations. But those closest to Putin have quietly been moving billions of dollars abroad as they break rank to prepare for a new Russia. Ukrainian Armed Forces firing towards Russian positions with a multiple rocket launcher Credit: EPA Smoke billows from a Wildberries facility following a reported Ukrainian drone strike Credit: EPA The military are also turning against the Kremlin leader who has become increasingly desperate to defeat Ukraine, often at the expense of his troops. About 1.2million Russian soldiers have been killed, wounded or are missing since Putin ordered his illegal invasion of Ukraine over four years ago. And as Putin faces devastating losses on the front lines, Ukraine has brought the tyrant’s war right to his own doorstep. Kyiv has spent weeks blitzing oil depots with state-of-the-art drones, before shifting its crosshairs to a series of strikes that have crippled the regime’s biggest e-commerce platform. Facing mounting frustration from all sides, Putin is under an “incredible amount of pressure”. Jason said: “He has to keep the elites happy, those who are in charge of the security structure. “But those exact people are the ones he should be the most afraid of, because they can take action to replace him if they decide he is no longer worth keeping around.” Putin’s most likely successors will be the Federal Security Service (FSB) – formerly the KGB – or the army, experts say. The Kremlin leader has increasingly relied on the FSB to control elites and the population since coming to power. Since the start of 2026, the security services powers have been expanded dramatically. The Russian elite fear the FSB is “getting out of control,” as the president uses the agency to maintain his power, according to sources cited by Bloomberg. A bomb blast at the elite Balzi Rossi restaurant in Moscow on August 1 likely consolidated its position, as the Kremlin reeled from the security breach, the source added. Police at the scene after a bomb ripped through a flashy Moscow restaurant Credit: Ilya Lazarev/TASS The bomber is believed to have targeted the the 55th birthday party of Col-Gen Alexander Chayko Credit: East2West Top Russian commander Lt-Gen Igor Yerusalimov, 53, was reportedly one of five killed in the attack that targeted the lavish party of Col-Gen Alexander Chayko. He escaped unharmed, but the Russian press reported that his daughter was injured in the blast. As tensions over the transfer of power begin to flare, Russia must brace for a period of bloody infighting as different factions vie for control. Jason said: “There are more and more signs that those in charge of the intelligence services understand they have to move now to consolidate power. “To make sure that nobody else is able to get in and that they remain in charge of Russia. “Look what we’ve seen in the Russian military. Over the past few years, about 17 generals have been arrested.” Since 2024 a swathe of Russian military leaders have been detained in suspected cases of fraud, bribery and corruption. Jason said: “Who’s the one going after them? Who’s pursuing them? Well, it’s those people coming from the FSB. “Russian history shows us that Russia’s elite will do anything preserve their own clan and its interest.” When former Russian dictator Joseph Stalin died in March 1953, his top deputies formed a tense “collective leadership”. The temporary alliance was fiercely brutal, driven by a high-stakes power struggle. Each member was terrified that another would seize absolute control. Putin’s military are becoming disillusioned with the tyrant amid mounting deaths on the front line Credit: East2West A major inferno erupts of a Russian oil depot after a Ukrainian strike Credit: East2West Within three months military leaders conspired against the coalition’s most feared member, Lavrentiy Beria, who was arrested and executed in a sudden coup. Jason said: “When you take power in a dictatorship or after a dictatorship, the most dangerous stage is when people try to challenge your authority. “Right now there are several different power struggles ready to explode over the question of who is going to take the leadership of Russia.” But the coming power struggle in Russia could also result in a sudden change of foreign policy. He said: “Whoever comes to power after Putin is going to be dealing with a country that’s fractured – with an elite that’s ready to wage a civil war against the other parts of the elite to consolidate power. “If everybody’s trying to loot the country, everybody’s trying to cut you out from power, then you need those soldiers. “And you need them in Moscow not in Donbas. You need them there to be able to protect your regime. “Whoever comes to power after Putin is most likely going to be willing to trade the war in Ukraine to keep his own power. “But more than that, to gain international recognition from other countries, like Western countries, it’s gonna be important that you can show them that you’re willing to work with them. “Closing down Donbas, giving it away in order to consolidate your power back in Moscow is a strategically wise move.” Comment now