Long road ahead: Putin grooms son for future Kremlin leadership

Vladimir Putin has secured nearly lifelong power as the president of Russia. He may sit on the Kremlin throne longer than Empress Catherine. More and more voices suggest who might succeed him. As is known, he doesn't even trust his closest colleagues. Speculations point towards one of his sons.

Vladimir Putin has been the president of Russia for over 20 years. He needs 16 more years on the Kremlin throne to surpass Empress Catherine. He could become the longest-serving ruler thanks to amendments made to the constitution. He did this just before the March presidential elections, which he won by a large margin.

As reported by i.pl, in the past, there were rumors that Putin might allow his daughters to take power if his health deteriorated so they could serve as his replacements. As it turns out, Vladimir Putin might already have a successor ready to take the throne. However, age is a crucial factor.

Russian lawyer, former parliament member, and political expert Mark Feigin once represented the iconic anti-Putin punk band Pussy Riot. He defended the band's members, who were unafraid to sing for Putin to be forgotten. Three women were sentenced to a penal colony. Now, he may have revealed the dictator's biggest secret.

As reported by i.pl, Feigin stated on Ukrainian television that Putin has two young sons with his longtime lover, gymnast Alina Kabaeva. The older "secret" son of the despot, Ivan, is currently 9 years old and is already being groomed for the presidency. It is known that the boy was born in an exclusive private clinic in Switzerland.

The second – Vladimir Junior – was born four years later in Moscow in 2019, and the same Swiss-born Soviet doctor, Dr. Natalia Thiebaud Kondratieva, attended the birth.

It is Ivan when he turns 18, whom Putin reportedly wants to pass the power to. The issue is a constitutional provision that regulates age. A person must be 35 years old to be president. Putin might be forced to introduce an amendment.