Who Will Replace Putin

Sputnik/Alexey Nikolskiy/Kremlin via REUTERS Business Insider On paper, Vladimir Putin would be replaced by Mikhail Mishustin as president of Russia if Putin dies or leaves office. But Mishustin is an obscure former tax official with no power base inside the Russian state. That illustrates Putin's true dilemma: He can never fully relinquish control. Intelligence and state security sources told Insider why they believe Putin can never retire. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Russian President Vladimir Putin's 10-day disappearance in April — amid rumors of COVID-19 infections in the top ranks of government — has raised a question the Russian leader has avoided for two decades in office: Who will replace him when he leaves office?