Tonight | The Godfather of St Petersburg on SBS 2: Putin’s rise begins in a city of power and crime – The two-part documentary traces Vladimir Putin’s rise in 1990s St Petersburg, beginning with his return as a former KGB agent. The Godfather of St Petersburg airs Friday 9 October 2026 at 8.30pm on SBS 2 and SBS On Demand.
The first episode links a local political career to the networks that later shaped Russia’s national leadership.
Putin’s early political rise
Putin becomes deputy mayor to Anatoly Sobchak, gaining a reputation for loyalty, efficiency and ambition. The city is also marked by feuds between criminal gangs.
When St Petersburg’s food supply falters, Putin proposes exchanging valuable raw materials for food. The programme says the food never arrives and the proceeds disappear, bringing him under investigation by a parliamentary committee.
The series draws on eyewitness accounts, exclusive sources and previously unseen footage. It follows the intelligence and mafia connections around the city, presenting them as part of the foundation for a future power elite.
The Godfather of St Petersburg Episode 1 premiere airs Friday 9 October 2026 at 8.30pm on SBS 2 and SBS On Demand.
Find more free-to-air coverage on TV Central, and visit SBS On Demand for more details.
