Theme: KGB Power Grab
KGB had opportunity to take control of Russia in the 90s - Hard currency funds abroad - Staff comprised many of country’s elite - Nation-wide infrastructure - Partnership with gangsters for plausible deniability & savagery - Yeltsin removed oversight previously wielded by the Communist party - They had various horses in the race - Primakov or Putin Motives for KGB power grab - Maintenance / restoration of Russian empire - Avoidance of scrutiny for 90s theft & mayhem - Personal aggrandizement for Putin, money & power for siloviki Justification for drastic measures - Russia as the indispensable country, true Christianity, messianic stuff. Essential for mankind to prevent Russia’s disintegration - Risk of domestic chaos. KGB believe they are the only grown-ups. Russia people are children that need a firm hand. “I realise this is going to hurt, but it’s good for you” - Satter moral collapse - Individuals don’t matter (unless it’s you)
Events
- Nov. 6, 1991 Yeltsin outlaws all Communist Party activities in Russia - end of KGB oversight
- Nov. 14, 1991 Yeltsin dissolves Russian KGB following coup
- Dec. 14, 1991 SVR created from KGB 1st Directorate. FAPS created from KGB 8th & 16th Director…
- Jan. 15, 1992 Ministry of Security created, taking over KGB internal & border security roles
- April 22, 1992 Putin, as deputy mayor St Petersburg, helps Berezovsky with car deal. Become fr…
- Dec. 21, 1993 Ministry of Security reorganised as FSK, headed by Sergei Stepashin, later rena…
- July 25, 1998 Putin appointed head of the FSB
- Oct. 22, 1998 Alexander Tikhonov appointed head of FSB counter terrorism, Alpha and B (Vympel)
- Nov. 20, 1998 Galina Starovoytova, liberal politician & campaigner, assassinated.
- April 1, 1999 Russian Prosecutor Skuratov raids Mabetex over Yeltsin corruption, Putin releas…
- April 8, 1999 Russian Prosecutor General Skuratov issues arrest warrant for Berezovsky on Aer…
- May 13, 1999 Prime Minister Primakov fired, replaced by Sergei Stepashin
- July 15, 1999 Berezovsky visits Putin in Biarritz to offer Prime Minister's job
- Aug. 9, 1999 Patrushev appointed head of the FSB
- Aug. 9, 1999 Putin appointed Prime Minister, Stepashin Resigns
- Aug. 16, 1999 Duma confirms Putin as PM with smallest vote in history
- Aug. 28, 1999 Yeltsin orders creation of new anti-terrorism FSB Department - disrupting exist…
- Sept. 10, 1999 Putin flies to New Zealand for APEC Summit
- Sept. 14, 1999 Putin leaves NZ early to deal with bombings
- Dec. 19, 1999 Duma elections. New, pro-Putin party Unity, backed by Berezovsky, wins 23% with…
- Feb. 19, 2000 Suspicious death of Anatoly Sobchak, ex Mayor of St Petersburg & Putin's 1st po…
- March 26, 2000 Putin wins Presidential Election with 53% of vote
- July 20, 2000 Gusinsky signs "Shares for Freedom" agreement to sell NTV shares
- March 18, 2001 Gennady Gudkov elected to Duma
- March 6, 2006 Russia passes "Counteration to Terrorism" law permitting extra-judicial killing
- June 8, 2006 Lebedev buys 39% of Novaya Gazeta
- March 4, 2018 Skripal Poisoning
- June 27, 2019 Son of FSB General Zdanovich (PR guy in 1999) sentenced to 10 yeas for cannabis