THE RISE AND RISE OF PUTIN'S CHEF

A new generation of hard-liners is emerging, surpassing even Putin's old guard in their aggression. Of these, the most prominent is Yevgeny Prigozhin.

- JOHN DOBSON

Who will replace Vladimir Putin? After 23 years as President and reported to be in ill health, Kremlin watchers are beginning ask the question: "who" and "when". Like most dictators, Putin has been careful not to have an appointed successor, always surrounding himself with weak sycophants. Strong minions can be dangerous. As a result, the question of succession weighs heavily these days in the minds of the Russian elite, especially as most now realise that in attacking Ukraine more than ten months ago, Putin made a catastrophic blunder. With the invasion failing all along the 800-mile front and the Russian leader searching for culprits, a battle for the leadership among the various factions is quietly underway, with few heads appearing above the parapet for fear of being blown away.