Top Kremlin Aide Dmitry Kozak Relieved of Duties
Story
Above: Former Kremlin aide Dmitry Kozak pictured in 2022. Image credit: Léo Pierrard/AFP/Getty Images
The Facts
- Russian President Vladimir Putin relieved Dmitry Kozak of his duties as deputy head of the presidential administration, a presidential decree published on the Kremlin website said on Thursday.
- The news was first reported by Russian outlet RBC on Wednesday, citing two sources who said Kozak resigned "of his own free will" to pursue business interests.
- However, in analysis from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) that was then reproduced in other publications, the U.S. military think tank alleged that Kozak was pushed out by senior Kremlin officials for his disagreements with Putin on the Ukraine conflict, "likely" with Putin's personal approval.
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The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Kozak was most likely pushed out for being the sole voice that was willing to challenge Putin's increasingly hardline on Ukraine, as well as other domestic matters.
