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Russian blogger:

What does Putin expect from Belousov and what will happen to Shoigu?

Everyone has already digested a little the personnel changes in power made the day before by the president. We were in no hurry to catch the hype, talked with several high-ranking interlocutors, and now we are ready to give you a more detailed breakdown. Shoigu failed to hold on to the post of Defense Minister, which means that in the near future he will lose his influence.

First of all, due to the fact that the Ministry of Defense is now not just an ordinary department. The Ministry of Defense now oversees the construction of many facilities in new regions, builds housing for the military, pays money for the death and injury of military personnel in the regions (including the so-called “coffins”). Combined with the power component, this was a very powerful tool in Shoigu’s hands. Don't forget about the Africa Corps (Африканский корпус), which has largely replaced the Wagner PMC and really influences the geopolitical situation on the continent, washing away gold, diamonds and other metals.

Belousov should conduct an audit and, as Minister of Defense, make the department more efficient from an economic point of view. The last straw for Shoigu’s dismissal was the investigation into his deputy Timur Ivanov. Combined with weak progress at the front, this persuaded Putin to make a decision. Compared to Shoigu, Belousov looks like a more advantageous candidate, since he has quite successful cases of reformatting the Russian economy in the context of sanctions and the implementation of successful managerial decisions. He was also not involved in any corruption scandals. Belousov’s appointment also indicates political changes. He is not only loyal to Putin, but also comes from the Gref-Kiriyenko group. And it was Sergei Vladilenovich who “improved greatly” against this background. Belousov is expected to build a strategy for a long-term [invasion of Ukraine] and provide funds for all this. The same transfer of the economy to a war footing. At the same time, Gerasimov will directly lead the troops for now. It is worth noting here that a civilian minister of defense is a completely adequate solution to current problems. By the way, everything is structured similarly in NATO countries and beyond.

After these upheavals, Patrushev will remain in the cage. Dmitry Patrushev is getting promoted , and Nikolai Platonovich will have less routine work in the Security Council. There will be small reforms in this body, aimed at Shoigu’s new functionality. But this is provided that Belousov’s audit does not show large-scale thefts in the Ministry of Defense and will not be made public. A Kremlin source said the president is once again trying to balance the influence of groups within the elite. It is obvious that people and companies that worked with Shoigu will be forced to either negotiate with Belousov or retreat. And this is a big redistribution of financial flows

https://t.me/kremlin_secrets/4085

1740 !

And the “SVR General”:

The “minor” reshuffles in the Russian Government have almost been completed, but this is precisely what indicates a crisis in the country's governance system. Having irreconcilable positions on the formation of the facade of power, the main towers of the Kremlin, having come close to the point of transition of the crisis into the information space, decided to settle on small rearrangements that should “strengthen” the positions of the two main Kremlin groups, but even here it seems that one of them has strengthened a little more.

First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov, who has also dumped the ballast of responsibility in the form of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, this is certainly a strengthening of the position of Sergei Chemezov, who openly shows, jointly with Manturov, demonstrative campaigns to the person appointed by the president and similar to Vladimir Putin, who controls everything. It is worth noting that now Denis Manturov will actually control almost all processes in the Government and will be the “chief” of the Government from the so-called “Politburo 2.0”.

The second and equivalent, as planned, but the “second” Deputy Prime Minister and “supervisor” from the “Politburo” will be the son of the former Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev, Dmitry, who also dumps ballast in the form of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture. True, by agreement, Dmitry Patrushev still has prospects of entering the transit line to the chair of the head of the Government by the end of the year and the presidency by the spring of next year. In the absence of the opportunity to agree on a new head of the Government, Sergei Chemezov played an interesting game, supporting the claims of the Chinese leadership that Mikhail Mishustin remain in his chair for some time. This is not a game in favor of China, but a way to keep both the sheep intact and the wolves well-fed, and the “sheep” in this case is the Chinese leadership in an embrace with Mishustin, who, just as he has not decided anything globally, will not decide. The recent meeting between Chemezov and Mishustin is a prelude to the appointment of Mishustin as the old-new prime minister. It is worth paying attention to the unusual media activity of Sergei Chemezov lately; usually he prefers to stay in the shadows, but now is a special case; a clear signal is needed to the second and third echelon elites about who is in the leading positions in the country.

In response to the strengthening of Chemezov, Nikolai Patrushev played almost all-in, exchanging his official post as Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation for increased influence on the security bloc and “guarantees” of his son's presidency. In his place, Patrushev put Shoigu, who is essentially a puppet idiot like Putin's double. Sergei Shoigu in the Security Council is an understandable step by Patrushev, the goal of which is to weaken the influence of the Security Council by moving the center of decision-making into the shadows and further closing the power bloc to itself. All reassignments of security forces were lobbied by Nikolai Patrushev.Zolotov and Kolokoltsev become even more devoted and obligated to “Sokratych.” The current status quo also suits the leadership of the FSB Bortnikov-Korolev. Belousov in the Ministry of Defense is an agreed candidacy between Chemezov and Patrushev; he must stop the total theft of the military budget by taking the main flows under the control of the Politburo. Patrushev’s all-in is a serious step and raising the stakes to the limit. Deception of Sokratych’s ambitions with a claim to the presidency of his son Dmitry, in the future for no more than 10 months, will lead to paralysis of power or total superiority of one of the towers and, in fact, to the seizure of power.
Yes, and... Nikolai Patrushev will certainly come up with a new position for himself, whatever he wants.

https://t.me/generalsvr/2368

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_Manturov

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Chemezov

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 12, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin replaced Sergei Shoigu with Andrei Belousov as Russian Minister of Defense on May 12, moving Shoigu to the position of Security Council Secretary in place of Nikolai Patrushev. These high-level reshuffles following the Russian presidential election strongly suggest that Putin is taking significant steps towards mobilizing the Russian economy and defense industrial base (DIB) to support a protracted war in Ukraine and possibly prepare for a future confrontation with NATO. The Russian Federation Council posted a list of Putin's proposed cabinet ministers on May 12, which notably confirms that Putin has “proposed” Belousov as the new Minister of Defense (Putin's proposals are orders).[1] Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Kremlin newswire TASS that Shoigu, who has served as Russian defense minister since 2012 — will assume the position of Security Council Secretary and act as Putin's deputy on the Russian Military-Industrial Commission.[2] Peskov also announced that Putin dismissed Patrushev from his former position as Security Council Secretary “due to [his] transfer to another job,” which was not specified and that the Kremlin will announce his new role in the “near future.”[3] Peskov also noted that Army General Valery Gerasimov will remain Chief of the Russian General Staff, and a change in this position is not foreseen at this time.[4] Gerasimov is also currently the overall theater commander for Russian forces in Ukraine.

Belousov’s appointment to the position of Russian Defense Minister is a significant development in Putin's efforts to set full economic conditions for a protracted war. Belousov has no military experience and is an economist by trade — he served as Russian Minister of Economic Development from 2012–2013, following a career in economic analysis and forecasting between 1981 and 2006.[5] His lack of military experience is not anomalous — Shoigu also lacked experience in uniform before he took over the Defense Ministry.[6] Belousov then served as First Deputy Prime Minister from 2020 until his new 2024 appointment.[7] Belousov is also a known advocate for greater government involvement in the economy.[8] Peskov announced Belousov’s appointment to state newswire TASS on May 12 and explained that “it is very important to fit the economy of the security bloc [domestic security power vertical] into the country's economy,” suggesting that the Kremlin intends for Belousov to integrate and streamline the DIB and industries affiliated with Russia's security and defense forces with wider domestic economic policy.[9] Several Russian insider sources similarly responded to Belousov’s new position and claimed that it shows that Putin has serious concerns over corruption levels and misuse of funds within the Russian military, conflicts between the military and the Russian DIB, and the perceived inefficacy of the Russian MoD as a whole.[10] An unnamed Russian federal official told Russian opposition outlet Vazhnye Istorii that Belousov will work in his new role to “competently organize work and logistics processes, ensure the necessary production and supplies, orient the economy towards the ‘special military operation,’ and squeeze the technological maximum out of the defense industry.”[11] A prominent Kremlin-awarded milblogger noted that Belousov’s new role “means the beginning of a large-scale audit and restructuring of all financial models” in the Russian MoD.[12]

Belousov’s nearly decade-long tenure as an economic minister in the Russian federal government and his more recent involvement managing various domestic DIB innovation and drone projects, prepare him well to lead the struggling Russian MoD apparatus. The Russian MoD under Shoigu struggled with allegations of high-level corruption and bureaucratic inertia, facing constant scathing critiques from Russian military commentators.[13] Belousov has a stronger reputation for being an effective technocrat, and insider sources have claimed that he has a positive relationship with Putin.[14] Belousov met with Putin in November 2023 to discuss DIB projects and technological cooperation and has spoken to Putin about issues with Russia's domestic drone production.[15] Belousov also more recently highlighted a draft state order for 4.4 billion-rubles (roughly $48 million) for the production of drones until 2030, as well as plans to financially support drone producers and train drone developers and operators.[16] The focus on maximizing the technological innovation and output of the Russian DIB, particularly in the drone sphere, is likely to be extremely valuable to the Kremlin's war effort —the Kremlin has recently had to reckon with a gap between Russian drone production and contemporary battlefield realities.[17] Belousov personally announced in January 2023 that Russia had finalized the “Unmanned Aircraft Systems” project, which provides 696 billion rubles (about $7 billion) for the production of 32,000 drones per year until 2030.[18] Putin likely intends Belousov to use his experience in a civilian government position to bridge federal economic policies with the Russian MoD agenda, thereby more fully mobilizing the Russian DIB at a larger and longer-term scale and integrating it with domestic economic policy. This effort sets conditions for a fuller economic mobilization, suggesting that the Kremlin continues to prepare for a protracted war in Ukraine.

Shoigu’s replacement of Patrushev as Security Council Secretary is in line with Putin's general pattern of quietly sidelining high-level security officials by granting them peripheral roles within the Russian security sphere rather than simply firing them. The Russian Security Council is an advisory body that also plays a role in executing security-related policies and developing Russian strategic culture, making Shoigu’s appointment as Security Council Secretary and de facto demotion from the prestigious post of Russian Defense Minister less humiliating.[19] Putin has removed Shoigu from the direct MoD chain of command but granted him continued influence in the security space. Shoigu has remained an important and loyal subordinate, and sometimes a scapegoat, and Putin likely benefits from maintaining Shoigu’s leadership and experience in some official capacity. Shoigu’s removal also follows two high-profile incidents — the removal of his reported ally Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov on corruption charges and Putin's meeting with Shoigu’s political adversary and Tula Oblast Governor Alexei Dyumin to discuss DIB updates, which were likely leading indicators of the Kremlin's preparations to remove Shoigu from his long-held position.[20]

Putin has previously similarly sidelined his failed generals by appointing them to peripheral security and defense related positions outside of the direct chain of command, sometimes allowing them to redeem themselves and return to Putin's favor as ISW has assessed.[21] Putin's removal of Patrushev from the Security Council is noteworthy, however, since several Western and Russian reports that Patrushev is a close personal ally of Putin—the Wall Street Journal alleged in December 2023 that Patrushev was the individual responsible for the assassination of Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin in August 2023.[22] WSJ reported that Patrushev’s 2008 appointment as Security Council Secretary was largely a formality and that Patrushev serves as de facto head of all Russian security services, making him the second most powerful person in Russia.[23] WSJ also reported that Patrushev acts as a “hybrid intelligence official and diplomat” and routinely pays visits to world leaders on Putin's behalf. ISW cannot yet confirm what Patrushev’s new role will be but considering Patrushev’s reported personal importance to Putin's regime stability and Putin's longtime tendency to balance Russian siloviki (strongmen with political influence) such as Patrushev within the power vertical, Patrushev’s next position will be an important reflection of Putin's intent. The Kremlin may establish a new role or office for Patrushev to lead, such as establishing a higher-ranking position to manage the siloviki faction.

Aside from Patrushev’s dismissal, Putin largely reappointed the heads of core Russian security services, suggesting that he maintains a core cadre of loyal siloviki. Putin reappointed Vladimir Kolokoltsev as Minister of Internal Affairs, Sergei Naryshkin as Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Alexander Bortnikov as Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), and Viktor Zolotov as Director of Rosgvardia.[24] ISW previously assessed that Russian security services and affiliated siloviki, particularly Bortnikov, were key constituencies for Putin's election to his fifth term, and Putin has relied heavily on the work of the aforementioned security agencies to maintain regime stability, particularly following the failed Wagner Group rebellion.[25] Kolokolstev has been instrumental in coordinating the Kremlin's migrant policy (which has been especially relevant in the aftermath of the March 22 IS attack on Crocus City Hall); Naryshkin has been an important player in establishing information conditions and propagating justifications for the war; Putin has personally praised Bortnikov and the FSB for protecting Russian sovereignty; and Zolotov has spearheaded efforts to absorb former Wagner Group fighters into Rosgvardia.[26] These siloviki form the backbone of Putin's core cabinet, and their reappointment suggests that Putin will continue to rely on, and empower them, into his next term.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-12-2024

Why did Putin fire Shoigu and what will happen next? Three things you need to know

We talked with sources in the Kremlin, the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff and tell important details of the personnel changes that have occurred in our country.

Firstly, Sergei Shoigu has not been formally demoted and may even seem to be satisfied with his new post. But that's not true. Sergei Kuzhugetovich really wanted to remain Minister of Defense, and for him the president's decision came as a big and unpleasant surprise. As is the case for the vast majority of our sources. Although it should be noted that some interlocutors predicted problems for Shoigu in early May.

“This is Patrushev - the head and strategist, he did great things in the Security Council. But Shoigu doesn't know what to do there. For him, this appointment is an honorary exile. He is terribly disappointed,” said a Kremlin source.

Secondly, Shoigu was fired, according to a high-ranking source in the Ministry of Defense, “for a long-term lack of serious successes at the front.” Avdeevka and the advance of our troops on a number of sectors of the front, including in the Kharkov region and the DPR, were not enough for Vladimir Vladimirovich. To be fair, Shoigu promised the president much more than he was able to achieve. And Putin is tired of these promises. This fact is recognized in the ministry itself. Of course, the situation with the arrest of Timur Ivanov and the strange intrigues that emanated from Sergei Kuzhugetovich and his entourage played a role . But the discrepancy between the promises of the now former minister and the situation on the battlefield is one of the main reasons for the resignation. Thirdly, almost all of our interlocutors expect Andrei Belousov to transfer the country's economy to a military footing, to attract additional funds for the [invasion of Ukraine], the defense industry and the army as a whole. Belousov spoke almost directly last year about the need to introduce a special tax on SVO. Sources are sure that he will lobby for this tax and others, in particular the tax on deserters, which we wrote about the day before. And this is understandable, money is needed for SVO. Belousov is also expected to carry out “rational and economically justified mobilization.” Most likely, with his appointment, partial demobilization will become closer . But sources in the Kremlin promised to tell more about this in the coming days. By the way, our insight was confirmed: the president decided not to let Sergei Lavrov resign . The Foreign Minister is not very happy, but promises to “continue to serve Russia faithfully.”

https://t.me/kremlin_secrets/4084

Russian blogger on Shoigu:

He believes too much in himself and in the help of dead ancestors. The Kremlin has revealed one of the reasons for Shoigu’s resignation.

Oe of the reasons that Sergei Shoigu changed his post and lost the position of Minister of Defense could be the “mysticism” into which he has fallen recently. Three sources in the Kremlin told us about this at once. “In recent months, Sergei Kuzhugetovich, one might say, has frightened Vladimir Vladimirovich. Judge for yourself: he declared, without any rational justification, that the SVO would end this year. He dug up the ashes of commander Suvorov and organized prayer services at the front, which were fired upon by the enemy. He prayed over these ashes and over the ashes of Prince Potemkin. He tried to intrigue. And so on. It's difficult to count on success at the front with such an attitude towards reality,” explained one of the interlocutors.

“Therefore, Vladimir Vladimirovich decided to appoint Andrei Belousov, a much more rational person, as Minister of Defense. And the mysticism of Sergei Kuzhugetovich may come in handy in the Security Council. There are certain plans in this regard,” he added. By the way, in light of the fact that Valery Gerasimov remains in his position. It should be noted that, most likely, the president heard his opinion - that the NWO will last for several more years . And it will be guided precisely by this forecast.

In this regard, sources predict that Belousov will begin an active transfer of the country's economy to a war footing. And they call this one of his most important tasks as Minister of Defense.

https://t.me/kremlin_secrets/4083

Iran Update, May 12, 2024

ditto

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-may-12-2024

Russian blogger:

Upon his return from Moscow, Lukashenko fired the head of his General Staff. The reason became known:

Alexander Lukashenko, after returning from Moscow, where he had many hours of negotiations with Vladimir Putin (in the presence of generals Shoigu and Gerasimov), fired the head of his General Staff, Viktor Gulevich. The news did not cause a resonance in our segment of the Internet, but in vain.

According to our information, Lukashenko met with Viktor Gulevich and Viktor Khrenin (Minister of Defense) in Minsk. He provided a plan for a possible attack on the Suwalki Gap, which was discussed in Moscow.( https://freerepublic.com/focus/news/4042550/posts?page=6349#6349 ) Let us remind you that Lukashenko has not yet given final consent to participate in this story. But Gulevich completely refused to carry out such an order and asked for his resignation. The conversation ended in a raised tone, but Gulevich said that even under the threat of prison he would not enter the war. For which he was fired on the same day.

It is worth noting here that Belarus is a small country, and such experienced personnel as Gulevich should not be wasted. In any case, we will not be surprised if Gulevich emerges in a different position tomorrow. As sources say, Lukashenko calmly accepted the resignation, because he himself was not delighted with the proposal of his Moscow comrades, but had to show Gulevich his place.

https://t.me/kremlin_secrets/4074

Gulevich is right: Lukashenko cannot trust his army to follow orders to attack NATO.

Russian blogger:

A few words about the new government

The composition of the new government is currently being discussed with all its might, and this is really important, despite the fact that many issues are supervised directly by the Kremlin.

If the candidacy of Mishustin as Prime Minister did not raise any questions, then the appointment of Dmitry Patrushev as Deputy Prime Minister looks extremely logical. However, not all groups in the elite agree with this. But in vain! Patrushev once again proved his effectiveness as Minister of Agriculture, when there was first an egg crisis, then chicken suddenly disappeared from stores somewhere. A great professional with an experienced team, of which there are few today.

It is worth noting that Dmitry Patrushev has overstayed his welcome in his current position and it's really time for him to be promoted. It was rumored that Patrushev Sr. lobbied for the appointment of his son as head of the FSB, but Bortnikov managed to maintain his position and influence, despite the latest scandals.

Separately, we also note in the government the transfer of a number of governors to Moscow. This is due to the need to change personnel locally and launch the same social elevator that was promised to officials sent to work in new regions. And in general, emphasize that the position of governor can be a springboard even in conditions of limited changes in the system.

https://t.me/kremlin_secrets/4076

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 11, 2024

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin submitted proposals on the composition of the new Russian government to the State Duma on May 11.[40] Mishustin proposed that current Minister of Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev become a Deputy Prime Minister and that current Kursk Oblast Governor Roman Starovoit become the Minister of Transport.[41] Mishustin also proposed that current Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov leave his position as Minister of Industry and Trade and become First Deputy Prime Minister. Mishustin nominated current Kaliningrad Oblast Governor Anton Alikhanov to replace Manturov as Minister of Industry and Trade. Dmitry Patrushev is notably the son of Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, and this is the second recent case of nominations to high ranking positions for children of people in Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle after Russian Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Matvienko nominated Boris Kovalchuk – the son of Putin's “personal banker” Yuri Kovalchuk – as a candidate for the head of the Federation Council Accounts Chamber on May 10.[42]

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-11-2024

Benin blocks Niger oil exports in border row

Benin has prevented neighbouring Niger from using its port to export its first crude oil, as a border dispute rages between the two nations. President Patrice Talon's government is demanding that landlocked Niger reopens its side of the border if it wants to use Benin's ports. Mr Talon accused Niger of treating its neighbour like an “enemy”.

Benin and other West African nations imposed sanctions on Niger, including border closures, in a bid to force the military to hand back power to the elected government. The sanctions by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) were eased in February, and were expected to normalise trade relations with Niger.

But Niger refused to open its land border for goods coming from Benin.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cmm3dr2e5lqo

Iran Update, May 11, 2024
nothing special
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-may-11-2024

Iran Update, May 10, 2024

Iranian hardliners are continuing to discuss Iran's ability to procure a nuclear weapon. A hardline Iranian member of parliament speculated that Iran had developed nuclear weapons in an interview on May 10.[9] Newly-elected Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani told the moderate-aligned Rouydad 24 outlet that Iran had obtained nuclear weapons but had not and would not announce that it had nuclear weapons. Ardestani’s comments were speculative in nature, and he is likely unable to such information in his current role. Ardestani’s comments follow Strategic Foreign Relations Council Chairman Kamal Kharrazi‘s comment in an al Jazeera interview on May 9 that Iran will have “no choice” but to change its nuclear doctrine if Israel threatens Iran's existence.[10] These statements align with International Atomic Energy Agency Chief Rafael Grossi’s May 8 comments that the agency was working ”very hard with [Iran] to prevent [nuclear weaponization] from happening,” suggesting that Iran has already obtained or is close to obtaining the ability to procure nuclear weapons.[11]

These discussions coincide with an April 2024 report that claimed that Iran is attempting to obtain 300 tons of uranium yellowcake from Niger.[12] A French investigative outlet reported on April 30 that Iran and Niger have been negotiating a deal since late 2023 for Iran to provide military drones and surface-to-air missiles in exchange for 300 tons of uranium yellowcake. This quantity is significant given that Iran announced in 2019 that it intended to produce 300 tons of yellowcake per year by 2024. A Nigerien delegation notably traveled to Tehran in January 2024 and signed unspecified agreements with Iranian officials, including Defense and Armed Forces Logistics Minister Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani. Ashtiani is responsible for managing the Iranian defense industry, including arms procurement and sales. Niger ended its counterterrorism partnership with the United States in March 2024 after US officials accused Niger of secretly exploring a deal to allow Iran access to Nigerien uranium reserves. Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian met with the new Iranian ambassador to Niger on the same day that Niger suspended its counterterrorism cooperation with the United States.

Iranian-Zimbabwean cooperation has also increased in recent weeks amid Iranian hardliner comments about the Iranian nuclear program, as CTP previously reported.[13] Zimbabwe participated in the inaugural Iranian Nuclear Science and Technology Conference, for example, in Esfahan City between May 6-8.[14] The Times claimed in 2013 that Zimbabwe had signed an agreement with Iran to sell materials for Iran's nuclear weapons program, which Zimbabwe has since denied.[15] No further reporting has corroborated The Times’ 2013 report.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-may-10-2024

Pardon my ignorance, but is Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc related to Cthulhu?

Russian blogger:

The migrant driver of a bus that fell into the river in St. Petersburg turned out to be an ISIS terrorist.

The fall of a bus into the Moika River in St. Petersburg was a terrorist attack. Our sources in the intelligence services say this off the record. The bus driver, as is known, was a 44-year-old native of Tajikistan. The intelligence services have already discovered the driver's connection with ISIS. (ISIS is a terrorist organization banned in Russia.) At the same time, an unspoken ban was given on publicly acknowledging the involvement of ISIS in this incident. A source in the FSB claims that ISIS has seriously changed the mechanics of carrying out terrorist attacks.

“Due to the strengthening of measures to track explosives, (terrorists - ed.) are forced to use new forms of terrorist attacks. Using drivers in public transport is one of the “know-hows.” A week earlier, FSB officers were able to prevent a similar attack in one of the cities of the central Russia. But it's impossible to cover everything,” says our interlocutor.

And he adds: “That's why we began to put harsh pressure on the Tajiks, to expel them. Not because we are xenophobes and don't like anyone there. But because we know that among them there are the highest number of ISIS supporters,” said the FSB officer. For this reason, by the way, the issuance of labor permits has been paused in St. Petersburg . “We received operational information that there would be a terrorist attack. We checked everyone, but we didn't think that the attack would come from that direction,” our source said. Law enforcement agencies fear a leak that ISIS terrorists were involved in the attack. At the same time, there are some dissatisfied in the FSB and the police that the authorities decided to hide the real threat. A high-ranking interlocutor suggested that in order to avoid leaks, the media and telegram channels began to actively disseminate information that the first to rush to help the victims were supporters of Islam from Dagestan. After all, they were not the only ones who rushed to save the bus passengers. Interlocutors at the FSB advise us to look around more carefully in the next 1.5-2 weeks. After all, the threat still remains. Although the special services are working to eliminate it. *

https://t.me/kremlin_secrets/4069

Probably ISKP and not ISIS. It is not easy to understand the difference or they have so far only banned ISIS and not ISKP see https://freerepublic.com/focus/news/4042550/posts?page=6152#6152

The State Duma approved Mikhail Mishustin as prime minister. Once again, the most corrupt official will be at the head of the government. We continue to publish our investigation into Mishustin’s wallet, confidant, and custodian of Mishustin’s assets, Alexander Udodov.

According to the source, Udodov and Mishustin actively use administrative resources in Azerbaijan.

The fact is that Mishustin is a friend and partner of the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov. Udodov also serves all tax interests of the group of Araz Agalarov, God Nisanov and Zarakh Iliev. Helps to minimize tax payments, often reducing them by 10 times what special (largest) taxpayers owe to the country's budget. Mishustin, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Naryshkin and these oligarchs are partners in a number of areas. As our interlocutor said, Mishustin introduced Udodov to Naryshkin, Agalarov and even the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Asadov. “Azerbaijani friends” gave the company SHEER ONE INVESTMENT LLC to Mishustin and Udodov for the fictitious re-registration of their foreign assets in order to circumvent American and European sanctions. Mishustin and Udodov are using all resources and tools so as not to lose large businesses and real estate abroad. As www.Rucriminal.info previously reported, in order to evade sanctions, one of the main commercial assets in Germany of Mishustin and Udodov - VGCargo Gmbh - was registered in the name of the Azerbaijani company SHEER ONE INVESTMENT LLC. Udodov and Mishustin are most afraid of losing this asset, since it is one of the largest assets in the field of logistics throughout Germany.

https://t.me/vchkogpu/48057

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 10, 2024

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is retaining his position in the Russian government for Russian President Vladimir Putin's new term of office, and there have been speculations but no confirmations of changes to Putin's cabinet. The Russian State Duma voted overwhelmingly in support of Mishustin’s renomination as prime minister, and Putin signed the corresponding decree reappointing Mishustin on May 10.[41] Russian outlet RBK, citing three sources familiar with personnel consultations in the Kremlin, reported that Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov will retain his title as Deputy Prime Minister but will relinquish his post as Minister of Industry and Trade, and RBK reported that Kaliningrad Oblast Head Anton Alikhanov will take over this position.[42] Putin publicly embarrassed Manturov in January 2023, and Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu heavily criticized Manturov on May 2, 2024, but RBK’s source stated that the new appointment is “logical and expected” as all the possible candidates for the Minister of Industry and Trade are “in one way or another, from Manturov’s team.”[43] Russian State Duma Chairperson Vyacheslav Volodin stated that the Duma will consider appointments for deputy prime ministers and ministerial positions on May 14.[44]

Russian Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Matvienko announced on May 10 that she delivered a list of candidates to Putin for the head of the Federation Council Accounts Chamber, which notably includes Presidential Control Directorate Deputy Head Boris Kovalchuk.[45] Boris Kovalchuk is the son of Putin's “personal banker” Yuri Kovalchuk, who is often credited with being Putin's close confidant and influential ideologue, including reportedly being one of three Russians to convince Putin to launch the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.[46] Yuri Kovalchuk is also a close associate of Russian Presidential Administration Deputy Head Sergey Kiriyenko, whose own influence has expanded following the start of the full-scale invasion.[47] Putin only recently appointed Boris Kovalchuk to his post in the Presidential Control Directorate on March 15, before which Boris Kovalchuk headed the Russian energy company Inter RAO for 15 years.[48] The other two candidates for Federation Council Accounts Chamber head include Accounts Chamber Acting Head Galina Izotova, who has served in this position since the former head resigned in 2022 and served as deputy head since 2019, and Anatoly Artamonov, chairperson of the Federation Council Committee on Budget and Financial Markets.[49] Boris Kovalchuk is the only one of these three candidates to lack a doctorate in economics and extensive experience in the field.[50] Boris Kovalchuk's candidacy for a Federation Council post given his lack of experience and newness to the presidential administration is notable given Yuri Kovalchuk's closeness to Putin, indicating that Kovalchuk's favor with Putin may be increasing. Putin will consider Matvienko’s list of candidates and choose one for the Federation Council to consider in the coming days.[51]

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-10-2024