As Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues, President Vladimir Putin relies on a small, loyal inner circle, many of whom have been with him since their days in the security services. While ultimate responsibility for the war rests with Putin, key figures such as Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov have come under fire from Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who accuses them of failures that led to tens of thousands of Russian deaths.
Shoigu, a long-time confidant who has accompanied Putin on hunting and fishing trips, remains a vital voice. He has toed the Kremlin line, first claiming Russia was demilitarising Ukraine, then blaming the 'collective West' for starting the war. Despite early setbacks in the invasion, including unexpected Ukrainian resistance and low morale, Shoigu has kept his post. Analysts suggest he controls not only the military but also the ideological narrative, particularly regarding history.
Gerasimov, the longest-serving chief of staff since the Soviet era, oversaw pre-war military drills in Belarus and played a key role in the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Initially sidelined after the stuttering start to the invasion, he was appointed commander of forces in Ukraine in January 2023. Described as an 'unsmiling, craggy bruiser', he has Putin's faith despite criticism.
Beyond the military, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Security Council, is considered the most hawkish figure in the inner circle. A former KGB colleague who replaced Putin as head of the FSB, Patrushev believes the West has been out to get Russia for years. Alongside FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov and foreign intelligence head Sergei Naryshkin, he forms a trio of siloviki loyal to Putin since the 1970s in St Petersburg.
These figures, all part of the siloviki network, have remained in place despite the war's challenges. Their influence underscores how Putin's decision-making is shaped by a tight-knit group of enforcers, even as the conflict drags on and internal tensions rise.
