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Vladislav Surkov's rise from small-town Russia to the heights of power in the Kremlin.

He can spot an ex-spy with presidential potential and help turn him into a world leader. He creates opposition movements out of thin air. He’s got a nation’s news directors on speed dial. Billionaires seek his advice. He’s even got his own little war. He’s at the heart of the standoff between East and West. Some even credit him with pioneering the concept of post-truth politics. Yet few even know his name.

He is Vladislav Surkov. And in this episode, Gabriel Gatehouse charts his rise from small-town Russia to the heights of power in the Kremlin.

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18 minutes

Last on

Sun 21 Apr 201922:32GMT
BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

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Broadcasts

  • Sun 21 Apr 201901:32GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Sun 21 Apr 201921:32GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Sun 21 Apr 201922:32GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only