01.02.2026 19:05
Newly released documents regarding billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in prison while awaiting trial for charges of sexual exploitation and establishing a prostitution network involving underage girls in the U.S., reveal discussions about a person considered capable of succeeding Russian President Vladimir Putin. A document from 2012 states, "If he is not killed, he could take Putin's place and become president himself (sooner or later)."
After U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that they had shared more than 3 million new files related to the investigation of billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in prison while awaiting trial for charges of establishing a sexual exploitation and prostitution network involving underage girls, the mention of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the documents drew attention.
DISCUSSIONS ON WHO COULD REPLACE PUTIN EMERGED In a document dated January 11, 2012, it was claimed that Ilya Ponomarev, who was a member of the lower house of the Russian Parliament, the Duma, at that time, was "one of the main organizers of the uprising against the President." The document stated, "If he is not killed, he could take Putin's place and become president himself (sooner or later)."
OBTAINED RESIDENCE PERMIT FROM UKRAINE IN 2016 According to reports in the Russian press, Ponomarev, who obtained a residence permit from Ukraine in June 2016, became a Ukrainian citizen in 2019. Ponomarev has ongoing cases against him in Russia.
Ilya Ponomarev ZELENSKY'S NAME WAS ALSO MENTIONED On the other hand, the name of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was also mentioned in the documents. In one of the emails sent to Epstein in 2019, it was stated, "Zelensky is seeking help. Putin is showing a contemptuous attitude by saying that (Zelensky) is being controlled by the Israelis."
THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN CASE Epstein, who was charged with sexually abusing dozens of girls under the age of 18, including the youngest being 14, and establishing a prostitution network, was found dead in his cell at the New York Manhattan Metropolitan Correctional Center on August 10, 2019, while he was in custody.
In the disclosed Epstein case files, famous names such as U.S. President Donald Trump, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, actor Kevin Spacey, singer Michael Jackson, illusionist David Copperfield, lawyer Alan Dershowitz, and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson were included.
The FBI also stated that as a result of its investigation with the U.S. Department of Justice, there was no evidence that a "client list" consisting of famous names was kept, and it was concluded that Epstein, who was alleged to have been killed to cover up the crimes of individuals, including government officials, celebrities, and businesspeople, actually committed suicide in his cell.