Aleksandr Vasilyevich Bortnikov
Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation
In short
- Who
- Position: Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation
- Last event
- August 1, 2024 — Head of Counter-Terrorist Operation in Kursk Oblast
- Verifiability
- 5 sources
Case summary
Aleksandr Bortnikov has been the Director of the FSB since 2008, holds the rank of Army General, and is a Hero of the Russian Federation. He is one of the key figures in Putin's inner circle, counted among the "hawks" who persuaded Putin to launch the invasion of Ukraine.
Under his leadership, the FSB controls the border service, conducts political repression within Russia, and carries out intelligence activities abroad. He is listed in the "Navalny-35" list of individuals implicated in human rights violations.
Sanctions
Санкционирован в связи с войной на Украине. Запрет на въезд и заморозка активов.
Включён в санкционный список OFAC (Минфин США) в связи с признанием независимости ДНР/ЛНР и вторжением в Украину. Заморозка активов в юрисдикции США.
Включён в санкционный список Евросоюза в связи с агрессией против Украины.
Заморозка активов и запрет на въезд за причастность к использованию химического оружия (новичок) при покушении на Алексея Навального.
Санкции в связи с вторжением в Украину.
Санкции в связи с вторжением в Украину.
Lies to the public
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Evidence
Property
Land plot and mansion in Sestroretsk (30 km northwest of Saint Petersburg). According to Russiangate (2018), valued at up to 300 million rubles ($5.3 million). Not declared. The website was shut down by Roskomnadzor after the investigation was published.
Plot on Rublyovo-Uspenskoye Highway, according to Novaya Gazeta (2015), 4.8 hectares of former kindergarten territory, illegally privatized by a group of high-ranking FSB officers. Each participant allegedly received about $2.5 million.
Land plot and luxury house in Sestroretsk, 30 km northwest of Saint Petersburg, valued at up to 300 million rubles ($5.3 million). Not listed in tax declarations and removed from the state property register.
Luxury house and land plot in an elite settlement in Sestroretsk, approximately 30 km northwest of Saint Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland coast. Estimated value between $3.6-5.3 million (up to 300 million rubles). Allegedly not declared in income statements. Property records removed from the state register in 2017.
Connections and network graph
Corruption network
Timeline of events
- 1 августа 2024 г.AppointmentHead of Counter-Terrorist Operation in Kursk Oblast
Appointed head of the 'counter-terrorist operation' in Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk Oblasts during the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk Oblast.
Evidence / Source → - 24 июня 2023 г.AppointmentParticipation in the settlement of the Wagner PMC mutiny
After the Wagner PMC mutiny, Bortnikov (along with Yevkurov) was noted by Lukashenko for mediating the conflict's settlement.
Evidence / Source → - 24 февраля 2022 г.AppointmentRole in the decision to invade Ukraine
According to sources from Yahoo News and The Times, Bortnikov was among the 'hawks' (along with Patrushev and Kovalchuk) who convinced Putin to invade Ukraine. The FSB assured Putin that Ukrainians would greet Russian troops as liberators.
Evidence / Source → - 1 января 2019 г.AppointmentAwarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation
By Presidential Decree, awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation (classified decree).
Evidence / Source → - 12 мая 2008 г.AppointmentAppointed Director of the FSB
President Dmitry Medvedev appointed Bortnikov Director of the Federal Security Service.
Evidence / Source → - 1 июня 2003 г.AppointmentHead of the FSB for St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast
Appointed head of the St. Petersburg and Leningrad regional FSB directorates after the resignation of Sergey Smirnov amidst the 'Three Whales' case.
Evidence / Source → - 1 января 1975 г.AppointmentJoined the KGB
After working as an engineer in Gatchina, he joined the Committee for State Security (KGB). Served in Leningrad.
Evidence / Source →
Sources
- 01Источник: Поступил на службу в КГБ1 января 1975 г.
- 02Источник: Роль в принятии решения о вторжении в Украину24 февраля 2022 г.
- 03Источник сведений об объекте в СестрорецкOpen source
- 04Russian Site Blocked After Report on FSB Chief's Alleged Secret Real EstateThe Moscow Times · 24 января 2018 г.
- 05Russian Website Under Fire After Investigation Of FSB ChiefRadio Free Europe / Radio Liberty · 24 января 2018 г.
Verification in OSINT registries
Direct verification of the subject in independent sanctions databases and official registries:
Price of a life
Confirmed wealth: $0 million — this money could have bought:
Оценки на основе средних цен и публичных смет РФ. Цифры приблизительные — приведены, чтобы дать масштаб состояния, а не точную бухгалтерию.
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