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"Who are the contenders to replace Putin - and how likely is a coup?A leading historian has offered his perspective on the likelihood of a coup to oust Vladimir Putin - and listed the likely contenders to replace him.Russian-born Sergey Radchenko, professor at the Henry A Kissinger Center for Global Affairs and Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, says recent history does not offer much encouragement for anyone hoping the Russian leader will be dethroned.In an article for Foreign Affairs, he wrote:&nbsp;\"Even if Putin's deputies conclude they want Putin out, removing him from power will be difficult. Moscow has experienced no coup attempts, successful or unsuccessful, since the Soviet Union fell.\"Professor Radchenko says there would be \"no shortage of possible usurpers\", explaining: \"The president’s coterie of sycophants, crisis managers, and would-be heirs are a colourful bunch.\"It is \"almost certain\" that those around him \"are carefully eyeing one another and thinking through potential succession scenarios\".So who could take over - these are Professor Radchenko's contenders (there are no quote marks, but the words are his):Though all of these are \"implicated\" in the invasion of Ukraine, they might not choose to continue to pursue the war.Professor Radchenko explained: \"Successors may well break with the behaviour of predecessors when convenient. That means that Putin's eventual replacement does not have to be invested in his neo-imperialist agenda.&nbsp;\"Indeed, were Putin ousted, his successors would likely blame Ukraine on his decisions and try to begin with a clean slate.\""
<https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-russia-news-live-blinken-zelenskyy-putin-war-latest-12541713?postid=3786867>