The Rest Is Classified The Rise Of Putin: Joining The KGB
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Nov 14, 2025 Mark Galeotti, a leading expert on Russian organized crime and security services, joins the hosts to delve into Vladimir Putin's intriguing beginnings. He shares insights on Putin's modest roots in Leningrad and the harsh realities of his youth that fueled his ambition. The conversation reveals how Putin's drive for social mobility led him to join the KGB, a bold move motivated by a quest for significance and security. Galeotti discusses the streetwise toughness that shaped Putin's character, positioning him for a powerful future.
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KGB As A Social Elevator
- Putin came from modest, overcrowded Leningrad roots and lacked nomenklatura privilege.
- Galeotti argues the KGB functioned as a social elevator offering security and relevance to ambitious outsiders.
Street Fighting Shaped Ambition
- Putin's youth as a scrappy courtyard fighter shaped his appetite for power and security.
- Galeotti links that formative environment to Putin's later craving for certainty and belonging in the security services.
Walking Into The KGB
- As a teenager Putin boldly walked into KGB headquarters in Leningrad and asked to join.
- Mark Galeotti says this act showed both ambition and a search for security that drew him to the KGB.
