As mentioned on CNN this morning, it's the siloviki Putin is concerned about, not the oligarchs

[Yorkie Mom]

that are being sanctioned. Understanding who the siloviki, the real Russian elite and inner circle is and and their role is vital to understanding Russia and how things may play out.

Inside Putin’s circle — the real Russian elite
As the west focuses on oligarchs, a far smaller group has its grip on true power in Moscow. Who are the siloviki — and what motivates them?

https://www.ft.com/content/503fb110-f91e-4bed-b6dc-0d09582dd007

I also posted a thread about this yesterday: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216469510

[Ocelot II]

1. I wonder if there is a Von Stauffenberg among them.

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. Which is probably why he fired 8 generals and put the head of the FSB on house arrest. Nt

[blogslug]

3. Informative

Unsettling as hell too.

[Omnipresent]

4. Needless to say...

It just takes one of whoever’s pissed with putin, to pull the trigger on him.

I guess Vlad should grow eyes in the back of his head, and get longer conference tables.

[Buckeyeblue]

5. So any of these people succeeding Putin would probably be just as bad

[Yorkie Mom]

6. Given the history of Russia, probably so.

[Effete Snob]

7. If you have a chance...

The movie “Death of Stalin” is one of the most amazing dark comedies you will ever see.

[Buckeyeblue]

8. I've been wanting to watch it. It looks interesting.

[Igel]

9. That's one part of it.

The problem is getting all the bits at the right sizes and in the right positions to click to form a whole.

The Russian Orthodox church, Russian (traditional) culture in both its social and strictly functional aspects, Russian power and prestige and pride (and how the siloviki view themselves as the defenders of that secular faith). Mix in grievance and anger at being humiliated or betrayed and the love for lucre that possessing lucre inevitably produces, as well as Russia's future and the mere frustration at some when they're frustrated because the defenders and promoters of justice can't get what they think is just.