In Kremlin Guards, Valery Morozov, a longtime Kremlin insider, reveals the hidden world inside Moscow’s power center during Russia’s turbulent transition from the Soviet era to Putin’s rule and the rise of the “Petersburgers” elite. As chief designer and contractor on secretive Kremlin projects for over two decades, Morozov offers a first-hand look at the Kremlin Security Service and its leaders—men rooted in traditions dating back to the Muscovite Tsardom. The book lifts the veil on Vladimir Putin’s path to power, the daily realities of Kremlin life, and the secret services responsible for the safety of Russia’s rulers. Morozov explores fierce clan rivalries, links to oligarchs, and the emergence of a corrupt new political elite after the USSR’s collapse. Relying on personal relationships with top security commanders, he details their reactions to Yeltsin’s presidency, the consolidation of Putin’s regime, and the shifting balance of power. Part One centers on Colonel Mikhail Firsov, who began as Brezhnev’s bodyguard and later steered Kremlin security through the Soviet collapse. Morozov shares little-known stories of attempted intrusions, the return of church properties, and the interplay between security, politics, and big money. Part Two provides a unique account of Putin’s rise—from his early days in St. Petersburg to his selection as Yeltsin’s successor—told through Morozov’s perspective and the testimonies of senior Kremlin security officials. Part Three examines the power struggle between the old “Muscovites” and the new “Petersburgers.” Morozov recounts his own battles against corruption during major Kremlin reconstruction projects, including legal challenges and high-level investigations. Part memoir, part political exposé, Kremlin Guards blends insider stories with sharp analysis, exposing the mechanisms of power and the depth of post-Soviet corruption. It’s essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the forces shaping modern Russia behind Kremlin walls.