News Update: Secret Service Chief Ousted by Putin
In the spy game, General Sergei Besseda, leader of the 5th Department in Russia's FSB, once gathered intel in Ukraine before the heated conflict. However, a recent report suggests that he's lost his position, with gaze shifting towards Vice Chief of Counterintelligence, Alexei Komkov. Waschnihe Istorii, citing a former intelligence officer and a pal of Besseda, is the source of this information.
Before this shakeup, Besseda led the department responsible for spying on Russia and other ex-Soviet states, notably Ukraine. The department under Besseda is said to have given Putin reports predicting a Russian assault on Ukraine in spring 2022, though they supposedly underestimated the resistance.
Speculations of Besseda's downfall surfaced soon after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Some claimed he was put under house arrest or arrested due to his department's poor performance. Yet, US intelligence officers poured cold water on such rumors, as reported by the "Washington Post" in summer 2022, citing a source. "We have solid reasons to believe he's still in office," the periodical quoted an officer. Waschnihe Istorii's sources also didn't back this up. The Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service HUR confirmed in October that Besseda was still carrying out his duties.
Officially, Besseda's dismissal is chalked up to reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70, states Waschnihe Istorii. But whispers hint at power struggles within the FSB for several key positions, including Bortnikov's post. It's said that the current FSB chief, who's 73, has already requested his pension early due to health issues, according to Waschnihe Istorii.
In the mix for the FSB chief's succession is Sergei Korolkov, the first deputy director of the FSB. Komkov, the fresh leader of the 5th Department, is said to be one of Korolkov's proteges.
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Despite the official statement attributing General Besseda's dismissal to reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70, rumors persist about power struggles within Russia's FSB, potentially involving key positions such as Bortnikov's post. These power struggles might have led to Besseda's removal, given that his dismissal came shortly after Russia's secret services were under scrutiny due to their perceived performance in relation to Ukraine.
