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Russian officials are already planning to replace Vladimir Putin at the helm 11 months after he invaded Ukraine, a former loyalist claims.

Igor Strelkov, a former FSB colonel who played a key role in Putin’s annexation of Crimea, also claims that a mass mobilization of 500,000 Russian men is the only way Putin can defeat Ukrainian forces.

Putin’s now fervent critic said on video: “The battle for political Olympus has begun between the factions around Putin.

“The battle to replace him is so fierce that ‘even we notice’.

According to Strelkov, the battle at the top is centered on Putin’s rebellious friend Yevgeny Prigozhin and loyalist forces in the defense ministry centered around ailing defense minister Sergey Shoigu.

Nikolai Patrushev, ex-FSB boss, is another name likely to persuade Putin to bail out the ruling elite.

Also his son, Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev, is another number in circulation if Putin loses the war or falls ill.

Putin’s leadership is being questioned by those closest to him, his critics say (Photo: AFP via Getty Images)

Yevgeny Prigozhin (right) is reportedly emerging as a major political force in Russia (Photo: Vedomosti)

Referring to Prigozhin, who was once Putin’s chef, Strelkov said: “His recent media appearances made it clear that he now positions himself not only as a wartime commander, but as a public and political figure…

“Prigozhin is against the group Shoigu leads or belongs to.

They have already started fighting. It was like a “feudal” fight. The military crisis led to a power crisis.

The crisis of power will in turn deepen the military crisis. And it will continue to fall unless urgent action is taken.”

Strelkov said there could be a second or even third wave of mobilization to try to win the war in Ukraine.

Telegram channel General SVR claimed that Putin has approved plans to call up two million for mobilization this year.

Men who owe alimony to their ex-wife would be the first to be called.

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