Is Igor Sechin the second most powerful man in the Russian Federation today?

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Often called the leader of the Kremlin's influential Siloviki faction, Igor Sechin has served as a central figure in Russian energy and security for decades. As the long-time CEO of Rosneft, he remains a pivotal, albeit controversial, architect of state policy, frequently cited as the country's second-most powerful official.

Igor Sechin’s career is deeply intertwined with the rise of Vladimir Putin. A linguist by training who worked in Mozambique during the 1980s, Sechin became a key aide to Putin in the Saint Petersburg mayor's office in 1994. When Putin ascended to the presidency in 2000, Sechin moved into the federal administration, eventually overseeing security and energy sectors. His influence was solidified in 2004 when he became chairman of Rosneft, the state-owned oil giant. Over the years, he has held various high-level government roles, including Deputy Prime Minister from 2008 to 2012, while maintaining his grip on the energy industry.

Sechin is widely regarded as the leader of the Siloviki, a faction composed of former security services personnel who wield significant sway within the Kremlin. His power is often demonstrated through his ability to shape major industrial outcomes, such as the acquisition of assets from the Yukos oil company or his involvement in international energy negotiations with partners in Venezuela, Cuba, and China. Observers, including reports from CNBC and The Guardian, have consistently identified him as the second-most powerful individual in Russia, second only to President Putin himself.

Despite his immense influence, Sechin has faced significant international pressure. Following the 2014 Russian intervention in Ukraine and the 2022 invasion, he was sanctioned by the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. These measures included travel bans, asset freezes, and the seizure of his superyachts, such as the Amore Vero and the Crescent. His personal life has also been marked by high-profile events, including the 2024 death of his son, Ivan, and his involvement in the high-stakes trial of former economy minister Alexei Ulyukaev, which underscored his reach within the Russian legal and political apparatus.

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