Kremlins Strategy to Channel War Veterans into Politics: Dismantling Potential Rivals to Putin

Russian initiatives aimed at integrating veterans of the Ukraine war into official positions intentionally prefer low-profile individuals to minimize the risk of rivals emerging against President Vladimir Putin, according to the exiled news outlet Vyorstka, which cited informed sources about these initiatives.

Multiple state-sponsored programs are designed to elevate the hundreds of thousands of veterans from the Ukraine conflict, whom Putin has praised as Russia’s «new elite,» into government roles.

Vyorstka’s sources indicated that the Kremlin focuses on selecting veterans who are “ordinary and unambitious,” thereby lowering the chances that their wartime accomplishments could translate into political leverage that could challenge Putin’s authority.

«We even assess their potential political ambitions and loyalty,» an insider from the Time of Heroes program, which prepares veterans for civil service roles, revealed to Vyorstka. «Naturally, they should have no criminal background or dangerous tendencies, ensuring that we aren’t promoting the wrong type of individuals. Overall, they are composed Russian men.»

However, veterans frequently lack the requisite skills and decorum for bureaucratic positions, and there are instances of alcohol misuse and altercations, Vyorstka reported.

“Vasya from the trenches doesn’t have a clue. For him, politics is just a way to avoid going back to that hell. He doesn’t understand laws, regulations or the role of the media,” shared an employee of Time of Heroes.

One participant of the program reportedly confused the roles of deputies, governors, and the president during a public discussion and subsequently exited through a backdoor, recalled one source from Vyorstka.

To mitigate potential issues, veterans are often paired with mentors to manage situations where recruits may overstep their limits, become intoxicated, or enter into conflicts, according to Vyorstka.

“These individuals were in the trenches yesterday, and today they’re being told, ‘You’re a politician now,’” stated a political consultant affiliated with the Leaders of Russia program.

Participants in these programs receive lectures on professional appearance and communication, as well as training in public speaking, designed to improve their interactions with civilians in political environments.

During a practice presentation, one participant was reported to have recounted his battlefield experiences, the names of fallen comrades, and graphic details surrounding their deaths.

“A crucial point emphasized to participants is that a harsh military communication style can be interpreted as aggression in civilian situations,” noted a Time of Heroes employee.