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Putin: A Russian Spy Story

Season 1
This Vladimir Putin documentary shows how a KGB colonel became one of the world's powerful leaders. As conflict rages in the Ukraine and with a potential second cold war imminent, this Putin biography explores how he used spy-craft to become President of Russia and then in the Kremlin. Learn about Vladimir Putin's rise to power, growing up in the USSR and over 20 years in Russian politics.
20203 episodes
16+
Free trial of BBC Select

Episodes

  1. S1 E1 - The Rise of Putin
    March 22, 2020
    47min
    TV-14
    He thought he was the Russian James Bond, his rivals saw him as Le Chiffre, his blind ambition would see him transcend the ranks of the KGB to become Russia’s puppet master. Matching incredible archive footage against some very candid talking heads, this first instalment of an unmissable three part series gives a never-before seen insight into the spy who would become President Putin.
    Free trial of BBC Select
  2. S1 E2 - Enemies and Traitors
    March 29, 2020
    47min
    TV-14
    Fresh from victory at the polls, President Putin arrived in the Kremlin as a virtual unknown whom Russian oligarchs expected to easily control. But this was no clueless ingenue. He'd spent years mastering skills of manipulation and repression in the KGB. This is the story of how he used them to gain a stranglehold on power. And how two of his defectors would wind up dead on British soil.
    Free trial of BBC Select
  3. S1 E3 - Putin Forever
    April 5, 2020
    47min
    TV-14
    Two terms in, Putin was constitutionally obliged to step down - but you don't need a degree in Kremlinology to predict that he'd be back. After spending four years as prime minister, Putin was re-elected as leader. Now, many Russians say they hope he'll be president forever. Constitutions can be amended, but will a rising wave of opposition stand in his way?
    Free trial of BBC Select

Details

More info

Audio languages
English
Subtitles
English [CC]
Directors
Nick Green
Producers
Paul Mitchell
Studio
Rogan Productions Ltd
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