Purges begin in Moscow: Arrest of key figure close to Putin

Russian authorities have arrested Konstantin Makhov, a businessman identified as the "right-hand man" to oligarch Arkady Rotenberg, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The arrest, reportedly carried out late at night by special forces, has fueled speculation about shifts in power within Putin's inner circle.

Makhov holds leadership positions in several key companies, including RusHimAlyans, Ust-Luga Special Economic Zone Management Company, National Gas Group, and Baltic Chemical Complex. He is reportedly overseeing the construction of a significant polymer production plant in Ust-Luga, a petrochemical project estimated to be worth around 2.7 trillion rubles (approximately 30.5 billion euros).

According to the Russian channel VChK-OGPU, which claims ties to Russian special services, Makhov's detention suggests that Arkady Rotenberg may be losing influence with the Kremlin. The channel asserted that when Putin is displeased with a high-ranking official or confidant, someone from their immediate entourage is often the first to be arrested. It also suggested that Rotenberg's business affairs are experiencing significant problems, including delays in salary payments to workers on his projects.

Further reports indicate that Rotenberg has repeatedly attempted to contact Putin directly but has recently been unsuccessful. The publication also mentioned that Rotenberg allegedly tried to mend his relationship with Putin through Ilgam Ragimov, a close friend of the Russian leader, but to no avail. While there have been unconfirmed reports that Rotenberg may have hastily left Russia, his current whereabouts remain unclear. Rotenberg, a childhood friend and former judo partner of Putin, was once considered one of Russia's most influential and wealthy businessmen, with an estimated fortune of $1.5 billion.