The Rest Is Classified The Rise Of Putin: Russian Organised Crime
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Nov 21, 2025 
Join historian Mark Galeotti, an expert on Russian security and organized crime, as he unpacks Vladimir Putin's formative KGB years in East Germany. Discover how Putin navigated a chilling environment under Stasi control and the chaos surrounding the August 1991 coup. Galeotti reveals the operational failures that led to its downfall and how Putin's responses during this turbulent time shaped his path to power. Get ready for a thrilling dive into the shadowy world of espionage and the rise of an authoritarian leader.
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Coup Exposed Systemic Fragility
- The August 1991 coup revealed the Soviet system's fragility and improvisation at the top.
- The plotters expected deference and obedience but underestimated public and institutional resistance.
PhD Researcher Missed The Coup
- Mark Galeotti recounts being in Russia for his PhD and missing the coup by two days.
- He jokingly says he still believes Russia owes him a coup to collect on his timing.
Institutional Timidity Shaped Outcomes
- Many officers avoided taking sides by calling in sick, reflecting institutional paralysis.
- That tactical timidity reduced the coup plotters' ability to consolidate control quickly.