Russia's ex-KGB chief warns secret elite over feud

The former head of the Soviet KGB warned on Wednesday that a conflict between rival Russian security services could lead to "big trouble" and urged feuding clans to unite around President Vladimir Putin.

Details have emerged of a feud between rival groups of secret service officers who form the bedrock of Putin's team. Observers warn it could split the ruling elite at a critical time when Putin is preparing to leave office.

The battle came to light this month after agents from the Federal Security Service (FSB), controlled by Nikolai Patrushev, arrested senior officers from the anti-drugs service, controlled by Viktor Cherkesov, for corruption and abuse of office.

Vladimir Kryuchkov, Soviet KGB chief from 1988 to 1991, published an open letter in the Zavtra newspaper on Tuesday warning that the sides must make peace.

"We approach the sides in the conflict and say: 'Make a step towards each other!' Otherwise -- and you should trust our experience -- there could be big trouble and that must not be allowed," the letter says. Reuters