The Godfather of St. Petersburg

In 2025, Vladimir Putin had already been in power for a quarter of a century. But how did his career begin? The documentary The Godfather of St. Petersburg takes viewers back to the 1990s—to a city marked by chaos, violence, and corruption. As deputy mayor, Putin forged close ties with intelligence services, businessmen, and notorious figures from the underworld. Out of these networks emerged the power structure that continues to define Russia today. Based on exclusive documents, eyewitness accounts, and previously unpublished material, the film reconstructs Putin’s rise and the creation of a system in which loyalty reigns supreme and criticism can be dangerous.

Networks

ZDF