The Rest Is Classified The Rise Of Putin: Becoming President
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Nov 28, 2025 
Mark Galeotti, a noted historian and expert on Russian organized crime, delves into Vladimir Putin's significant rise from a humble St. Petersburg upbringing to becoming a political titan. He explores Putin's early affiliations with organized crime, his roles within Moscow's power structure, and how his reputation for discretion earned him trust among the elite. Galeotti also discusses the strategic use of corruption as a means of control, suggesting that Putin's ascent was less about ambition and more about seizing available opportunities.
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Loyalty Saved A Political Career
- Vladimir Putin leveraged loyalty to Anatoly Sobchak to remain politically relevant after Sobchak lost power in St. Petersburg.
- Putin even arranged a private flight to spirit Sobchak to Switzerland when an arrest warrant followed, showing personal loyalty pays political dividends.
Power Grows Through Quiet, Lucrative Roles
- Putin used a low-profile but powerful role at the Presidential Property Management Agency to build a reputation as discreet and effective.
- That reputation made him visible in Moscow's political network and marked him as a trustworthy fixer amidst widespread corruption.
Loyalty Outweighed Competence
- Yeltsin's circle wanted an FSB head who was politically loyal above all else, not necessarily an effective manager.
- Putin fit that need, making loyalty the decisive credential for advancement in 1990s Russia.