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The part where Putin dragged the Siloviki onto TV makes sense now. It's similar to when Saddam made Ba'ath Party loyalists help him carry out a purge live on TV.... tying their fate to his.

Actually, in Russian - “Siloviki” means “enforcers”. The true meaning behind it are the people who come from the security services such as FSB. It used to mean the law enforcer but now the “law” has been dropped and just “enforcer” remained to signify the only characteristics they possess.

"Shoigu's health may be tied to what happens in Ukraine." This is gold

Now I understand that weird press conference where Putin had his advisors sit in a circle and explain to him why they should go to war against Ukraine: It ensured none of them could plausibly deny supporting the war if things went badly.

One small note: «Силовики» doesn't literally mean “the powerful”. It means ~ «люди из *силовых структур*» or “people from the police/military/intelligence structures”.

"Shoigu does not come from a defence or intelligence background. As Defence Minister he is responsible for modernising the Russian military." -- well that explains a lot.

"Siloviki" does not mean "the powerful". It means "related to hard power agencies", i.e. army, police, "security" services, intelligence, etc. More like "enforcers".

As somebody who is following the conflict closely, but has almost no knowledge of Russian politics, this was good content. However, a MASSIVE thank you to the **commenters** who provided some important clarifications.

This video feels like the prologue cutscene in a spy assassin kind of game

This felt like watching the opening cutscene to a Hitman game

I wish this became a series, delving into the most influential and powerful people of policy making within a country.

Very clever. He made all his keys to power agree to the war prior, so that he wouldn't be used as a scapegoat when it did go to shit.

"Siloviki" can be translated as (law)"enforcers". "Siloviye organy" - "Institutions of force " - russian term for all law enforcement agencies.

Note on Shoigu: though he does not come from military background, he was a minister of emergency situations. This ministry was made by Yeltsin in the 1990 as an en enforcement agency, which was loyal to him and not to Gorbachev. Shoigu was a silovik from the start

I'm an author with an interest in various forms of political dysfunction, and your explanation of the dynamics at play here was wonderful, thank you.

My god this channel keeps getting better and better over the years. Great job!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Yevgeny Prigozhin is also a powerful guy, he owns the Wagner Group (some calling them little green men) a paramilitary group.

1. Siloviki in Russia are all people engaged in police, army, FSB, rosgvardia and other special forces 2. We call a silovik every man who serves in police or army etc. Not only the elites 3. Peolpe like Rogozin, Lavrov and Sechin technically are not Siloviks 3. Siloviks are usually opposed to so called System Liberlas (technocrats in fact) 4. Besides this two groups, there are also oligarchy, and the majority of Putin's friends who are in power now are very rich buisnessmen or the CEO's of state companies, like Sechin, Rottenberg brothers or Chemezov. We call them oligarchs too, or Putin's oligarchs 5. Please stop spreading this stupid theory about the influence of Dugin. There're no proofs that he had or has any influence on Putin. He was a bit popular in army in 90's, and he was allowed to build a "Eurasian Youth Union" later. A pro-kremlin organization, that had even less support from administraion than some other similar movements (like "Nashy") 6. And the whole western view on place that Dugin has in russian public space is overestimated. I can name a dozen of russian conservative or right-wing public speakers who has or had as much influence as Dugin 7. Of course some russian elites read some books about the Supremacy of Russia, how russia is destined to be an empire and so on. Especially the Siloviks. It doesn't mean they have somewhat similar to a strong unifying ideology. I understand this longing to explain the evil, but at the end they are just obssesed with greed for power and control, and money, and career achievements. And don't give a shit about other people lives. FSB might be the most corrupted structure in whole russian state. In spare time they can think whatever they want, but there is only one man in country who makes strategic decisions.

thank you for this, once again excellent video detailed and informative, I look forward to the next one

Caspian..... your research on current affairs is on another level bro🔥🔥🔥

I think Narukshin can later claim he was forced into it , so his squirming during the security council meeting he can say he was forced into it.

Every second post: Siloviki does not mean "powerful". It means "Enforcers". *OK WE GOT IT*

I don't think I realized how based in Siege Mentality the Russian Economic and Political motivations really are until now. This kind of explains why Russia keeps gaining ground then falling apart over and over again "a Siege Mentality is ultimately a fatalist position"

Any other Americans just refreshing youtube thinking “Damn Caspian Report really killing it lately”??

*If Russia used Skillshare they would have won the war in Ukraine already. But funny thing is Ukraine uses NordVPN , So defeating them isn't possible.*

Wait. I thought the people who own Russia are the friends we made along the way.

next level policy breakdown , dude. consistently amazing content.

Always appreciate the effort you put into your work and equally enjoy it.

Trying to go back to the past will destroy Russia's future.

"They are on the same ship as Putin." If only that ship was the Moscova.

This gives a very good context. Thank you!

Very good, quality information, as always! Thanks, CaspianReport!

We will never forget Naryshkin’s public humiliation by Putin

Shoigu's health might be tied to what's happening in Ukraine 🤣

Great analysis indeed. It would be great if there's a similar analysis for the internal political situation of China too.

I only recently found and subbed to your channel but your content is absolutely top notch. Very very high production value and in depth content. Thank you!

In the current situation, i.e. war the Siloviki could be a house of cards. In Russia despite all the nationistic spruiking I think it is every man for himself.

Calling Kadyrovs guys "shocktroops" is a little far fetched. They are more TikTok troops. Also they are a part of RossGvardiya. They are not under Kadyrovs direct order.

Thanks Shirvan. Always a treat when you post a new video.

Thanks for another insightful and fascinating video. I learn more geography from your channel than I did in public school.

I challenge anyone to try and find this level of detailed coverage, or even the name "Siloviki", on any mainstream media channels from any western country. This channel is amazing. Edit: Siloviki, not Soliviki (my bad)

Excellent video! Must have taken a lot of work to put that together. Thank you.

Informative as always, thank you Caspian Report

Another insightful video. No one breaks it all down like you guys. I wish media around the world would learn from you all.

I have no idea how Caspian report doesn’t get more views or likes. One of the best reporters out there

My man Shirvan! Thanks for another video!

Love your content! Always.

Worthy content. Thanks, Shirvan and team.

Highly informative. Caspianreport, never fails to deliver great cinematics with equally great music which all adds to the immersion.

"...there are no life boats available...", that hits hard. When this whole thing shits the bed, it's gonna be so interesting to watch.

Awesome as always! Great stuff!

This channel has the most insightful videos on the current situation in Russian. Keep them coming!

This is a great video. To me it shows that our Western obsession with Putin as a person is a very dangerous oversimplification of the situation that can lead to a disastrous outcome. We have to understand that not Putin himself is the sole cause of the war, but a complex interplay of domestic circumstances and international relations. Balance of power politics is still real in 2022, if we in the West want it or not.

Incredible research and production cutting edge. 👍

Great job on your content looking forward to more of your videos.

Great insight Amazing video Caspian.

As always a great video! One thing - "siloviki" is better translated as 'enforcers'. It is a broad term applied to any state enforcement agency, i.e. those who can use weapon, violence have a power start investigations etc. And of course, the heads of various siloviki groups have become closer to Putin over the recent decade. It would also be great if you expand further and tell about FSO (basically personal elite guard of Putin) and Zolotov's Rosgvardia. Overall there is an interesting dynamic where Putin tries not grant too much power to any one of siloviki group, so they do not overthrow him

Next Vids: Chinese Siloviki American Siloviki European Siloviki Saudi Silovike Who are the men in the high castles 🏰?

Great content as always, Thanks

Great video! Thanks

As always, your video is in depth and informative, with sharp clear insight into the culture and politics of the former Sovjet Union countries - something very few of us westerners possess.

Kadyrov is good at 1 thing - tiktok.

Thanks for the video

Great vid Shirvan. Thanks

I can imagine already Call of Duty Modern Warfare kind of missions (game), but diving straight into Russia and such leaders...

Getting those guys on live video supporting the invasion, is such a boss move.

Wooow fasinating. l certainly posted it and passed it on. Very good. Masterful piece of work.

Great video, thanks❣🙏❣

Thanks for the break down. This type of info is accessible if you are working in an intelligence agency that does these types of assessments.

This channel is incredible professional. Just analysis of geopolitical matters without either bios nor nativity. I'm sadly not in a position that allows me to be patreon, but I hope that this message can serve as support!

Great work as usual. Thank u

Thank you Shirwan, amazing video as always

Do a detailed video on Kadyrov. I think a lot of people wants to know what he is really like behind the public projection he puts out.

Relentlessly outstanding, my favourite KZfaq channel by a country mile.

Brilliant eye opener! Thanks for sharing! 👍✌️🇬🇧

Your graphic presentations are awesome!

I cant really take this video seriously as long as it repeats Kadyroves hyped-up claims of having 70.000 "shock troopers". He certainly does not have such numbers and they are most definetly not shock troops or anything else then a warlord militia. In ukraine we have seen they are not even real soldiers.

Shirvan, "siloviki" means "the people that hold the force". In short, the "siloviki" means "ministries of force". You said "members of the siloviki have enrolled into offices throughout all branches of governance in Russia, with a particular focus on military and security-related agencies". That goes the other way around. They are the siloviki BECAUSE they run military and security-related agencies. They are all old members of the Putin's clan, ex-KGB, ex-GRU workers, etc., that have been given more and more power by Putin. They did not "enrol into offices". They were appointed by Putin, because Putin made them his core "tower" in the Kremlin. Although thank you for telling the world that no, the oligarchs do not run Russia. I mean, the siloviks are themselves crazy rich, but not the oligarchs that the West think they are. Also, Sechin is probably the most prominent of the siloviki, I do not know why you mentioned him last.

Really great video as always, keep it up

very interesting as always

I LOVE this channel!!! So well put together!

A bunch of crooks and corrupts with bloody hands. 😡

Interesting content as always.

This channel is rapidly becoming one of my favorite news channels. Insightful stories that seem to be unique to this channel:

The next fall of Russia will be quite a fireworks show, this kind of system will not last forever.

Thank You for explaining why this Meeting was so important to be viewed by every Russian... And perhaps non Russian

Brilliant and helpful as always

Great video. As always

"Sila" in most Slavic languages means "'Force'' and it gives me chills that Russians have coloquial term with that root, it literally means 'Ones of the force'' , in Serbian that is.

Informative as usual

wonderful report as always

Amazing content! Please keep it up

Interesting, learned alot! God bless.

That last line struck really deep. Great job as usual!

thanks for explaining the topic

Another Great, insightful and interesting video. Thanks. More!

Your description of the Siloviki closely mirrors the American military industrial complex.

Your content it's almost always a 10/10 , but this was OUTSTANDING! Congrats...! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

LOVE the New INTRO WITH the CHESS Pieces MAN :)