Alexander Bortnikov

Alexander Vasilyevich Bortnikov is a Russian intelligence officer who has served as the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) since 2008. He is one of the most powerful members of the silovik faction of president Vladimir Putin's inner circle. A Hero of the Russian Federation since 2019, he also holds the rank of General of the Army, the second highest grade in use in the Russian military. According to some experts, it is likely Bortnikov played a key role in Putin's decision to invade Ukraine in 2022.
alexander-bortnikov

Some of the key events about Alexander Bortnikov

  • 1975
    Graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Railway Engineers
  • 2003
    Appointed Deputy Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB)
  • 2004
    Promoted to head of the FSB's Economic Security Service
  • 2008
    Appointed Director of the Federal Security Service by President Dmitry Medvedev
  • 2008
    Appointed as Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), raising concerns about increased state surveillance
  • 2009
    Became a permanent member of the Security Council of Russia
  • 2011
    Awarded the title of Army General, the highest military rank in Russia
  • 2013
    Received the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" III degree
  • 2014
    Oversaw FSB operations during Russia's annexation of Crimea, violating international law
  • 2014
    Sanctioned by the United States for his role in the Ukraine crisis
  • 2015
    Awarded the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" II degree
  • 2015
    Accused of involvement in the assassination of Boris Nemtsov, a prominent opposition figure
  • 2016
    Implicated in alleged Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election
  • 2018
    Reappointed as FSB Director by President Vladimir Putin for another term
  • 2018
    Sanctioned by the European Union for his role in the Skripal poisoning incident
  • 2019
    Accused of orchestrating a campaign of repression against civil society and opposition in Russia
  • 2020
    Awarded the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" I degree, completing the set of all degrees of this prestigious state decoration
  • 2020
    Linked to the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny
  • 2021
    Sanctioned by the UK for human rights violations and destabilizing activities
  • 2022
    Played a key role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, leading to further international sanctions

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.

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