Views from VChK-OGPU and Rucriminal.info sources regarding the brewing discontent among Russian elites:
"Current dissatisfaction among the elites and bureaucracy stems from Putin’s inability to clearly articulate future prospects for the country as a whole and for the elites themselves. Tension is also mounting over his failure to resolve the protracted military conflict; there is increasing talk that there is no actual plan, and the system is simply coasting on inertia while waiting for... something undefined. Meanwhile, everyone expects major personnel reshuffles following the elections. The nature of these upcoming appointments is also causing anxiety, particularly regarding ministerial portfolios and the position of Prime Minister.
Putin’s inner circle (Kovalchuk, Rotenberg, Patrushev, Chemezov, Sechin) all realize that time is running out and that they need to prepare alternative scenarios for the post-Putin era; otherwise, they—and their families—will be 'torn apart.' Whether Putin himself is willing to discuss such scenarios remains a major question.
As for who within the inner circle is currently closest to him: Sechin stands out as particularly active, at least in terms of the frequency of his meetings with Putin. Things are also going smoothly for the Patrushev family, especially given Dmitry Patrushev’s success in wresting control over the municipal solid waste management sector."
