Explosion at VGTRK Headquarters: Kiselyov on the Brink of Resignation
A massive earthquake is brewing in the Russian media empire. According to sources close to the Russian Presidential Administration, Dmitry Kiselyov — one of the main ideologues of state propaganda and General Director of the RIA "Russia Today" — may lose his key positions. The Kremlin, it seems, has decided that the time of the "elders" has passed, and the effectiveness of their work in the conditions of a protracted war and sanctions pressure requires reassessment.
According to information published by The Moscow Times and verified by RBC-Ukraine, Vladimir Putin's administration is preparing personnel changes that could hit Kiselyov from two sides: on the airwaves of the "Russia 1" channel and in the leadership of the international agency. Sources report that the 72-year-old TV host already knows about the impending changes and reacts extremely painfully to rumors, accusing colleagues of intrigue and slander.
Reasons for the "purge": falling ratings and a conflict-prone nature
Why exactly now? Experts and insiders cite several reasons why the Kremlin decided to review Kiselyov's role. First, this is the decline in audience interest in his flagship program "News of the Week". In conditions of information overload and growing skepticism even among the loyal population, old methods of presenting material are ceasing to work.
Secondly, the key factor was Kiselyov's personal character. His intolerance of other people's opinions and unwillingness to listen to the recommendations of officials in the Presidential Administration have become a stumbling block. The Kremlin values controllability, and Kiselyov, used to complete trust from Putin in 2013, began to show excessive independence, which in current conditions is perceived as a risk.
Who will take the tiger's place? Evgeny Popov and "honorary pension"
In the new TV season, Kiselyov's place on air could be taken by Evgeny Popov — former State Duma deputy and husband of Olga Skabeyeva. Popov, known for his softer, but no less ideological style, is considered a more "controllable" figure. At the same time, a change in the format of the program is planned to adapt it to new realities.
As for the post of General Director of "Russia Today", Kiselyov will probably be offered an "honorary pension position". This will allow to save face and not publicize the conflict, but in fact deprive him of real levers of power. A new person, more loyal to current directives from the Kremlin, may be appointed to his place.
Contradictory data
Although sources in the administration and the media agree that the resignation is being prepared, there are disagreements regarding the timing and final status of Kiselyov. Some insiders claim that the decision has already been made and will be announced in the near future. Others believe that the Kremlin may drag out the process, fearing a sharp reaction from the loyalist electorate, which associates Kiselyov with "power" rhetoric. Moreover, it is unclear whether Kiselyov will retain access to the agency's resources or will be completely isolated.
Historical context and international pressure
Dmitry Kiselyov is a figure who has gone from working in Kyiv in the early 2000s to the status of the main ideologue of the annexation of Crimea. His famous phrase about Russia's ability to "turn the US into radioactive ash" became a symbol of his aggressive rhetoric. It is for such statements that he is under strict sanctions from the US and Europe. The US State Department has repeatedly stated that "Russia Today" not only broadcasts propaganda but also participates in secret operations of Russian intelligence.
In conditions where Russia is intensifying its anti-Ukrainian campaign in Poland and using AI to create fake news about "successes" on the front, the question of who will manage this machine becomes critically important. Kiselyov's resignation could signal a change in the Kremlin's strategy in the information war.
