Influential Russian beginning to rule presidentially? (8)

I believe the answer is:

rasputin

'influential russian' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for rasputin that I've seen before include "Notorious Russian monk among puritans" , "This madman" , "Notorious Russian monk embraced by puritans" , "Alexandra's favourite" , "Infamous Russian monk" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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