According to Bloomberg sources, civil servants within Vladimir Putin’s administration are losing influence as the Russian leadership increasingly relies on the Federal Security Service (FSB) amid a worsening military and economic situation. The security agency, from which Putin originated, has been granted virtually unlimited investigative powers with almost no accountability, positioning it to pursue terrorism charges against Telegram founder Pavel Дуров (Durov) as part of a broader crackdown on the messaging platform.
FSB Influence Expands Through Second Directorate
The FSB’s growing authority is driven largely by its Second Directorate, the branch responsible for protecting the constitutional order and combating terrorism. According to Kremlin-backed reporting, this directorate has been linked to historical poisonings of opposition figures Alexei Navalny and Vladimir Kara-Murza. Today, the same directorate maintains unofficial blacklists targeting actors, musicians, and directors deemed unpatriotic, while aggressively prosecuting minor displays of regime disloyalty under Russian extremism and military-discreditation laws.
Political analyst Andrey Kolesnikov described the FSB’s dominance by noting that the presidential administration, the foreign ministry, and the economic-financial apparatus have been reduced to mere technical personnel servicing decisions made by the security services.
Tensions Within Government and Economic Repression
The consolidation of security service power is generating friction among traditional civil bureaucrats. According to government-linked sources cited by Bloomberg, figures such as Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Sergei Kiriyenko are absorbing blame for political failures in Moldova, Hungary, and Armenia. Simultaneously, Putin’s hardline stance on the Ukraine war has accelerated the FSB’s economic reach, resulting in a steady accumulation of seized corporate assets and the arrest of business figures.
This tightening control has intensified alongside mounting security breaches inside Russia. Incidents such as the restaurant explosion in Moscow during the 55th birthday celebration of Aerospace Forces Commander-in-Chief Alexander Chaiko have left civil administrators with little leverage to resist the FSB’s demands for total domestic oversight.
Internet Censorship and the Control of RuNet
In the summer of 2025, control over the Russian internet (RuNet) was officially transferred to the FSB’s Second Directorate. According to independent outlet The Bell, Second Directorate head Alexei Sedov promised Putin he would restore order to the web, securing unchecked authority in exchange. The agency subsequently pressured mobile operators to restrict calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, sought full application bans, and targeted virtual private network (VPN) services, driving widespread internet disruptions under the guise of national security.
Did you know?
The FSB’s Second Directorate maintains unofficial blacklists of cultural figures—including actors, musicians, and directors—labeling them “unpatriotic” for failing to show active support for state policies.
Targeting Pavel Дуров and Telegram
Despite objections from senior Kremlin officials managing preparations for the State Duma elections, the FSB continues its aggressive push against Pavel Дуров. Officials overseeing the upcoming parliamentary vote warned that cracking down on the popular messenger service could provoke a sharp backlash among domestic voters. Nevertheless, sociologist Ella Paneyakh, a research fellow at the Center for New Eurasian Strategies, observed that the pervasive atmosphere of fear leaves citizens feeling unprotected, stating that “everyone is frightened, because nobody knows for whom they will come.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What powers does the FSB currently hold in Russia?
According to Bloomberg sources, the FSB operates with virtually unlimited investigative authority and minimal oversight, extending its reach from high-profile security investigations to domestic internet control and economic asset seizures.
Why is the FSB targeting Telegram and Pavel Дуров?
The security agency is utilizing terrorism charges against Pavel Дуров as part of a wider effort to suppress and regulate the Telegram platform, aligning with its mandate to purge “hostile means of communication” from the Russian internet.
How are civil servants reacting to the rise of the security services?
Civil administrators and presidential aides are experiencing a direct loss of influence, with figures like Sergei Kiriyenko shouldering political blame while the FSB dictates domestic, ideological, and economic policy.
Explore More: Stay informed on shifting geopolitical dynamics and domestic policy developments by subscribing to our daily intelligence briefing or leaving your analysis in the comments below.
Related reading