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Putin’s Soldiers Are Becoming Russia’s Next Deep State
Newsweek • • world
Key Points:
- Vladimir Putin is promoting a new initiative to transition Russian soldiers from military service to government roles, creating a "warrior class" whose careers and loyalties are tied to participation in the Ukraine conflict.
- The Kremlin's "Time of Heroes" program fast-tracks veterans into government and civilian management jobs, now allowing applicants with only a high school diploma and valuing combat experience alongside academic credentials.
- Legislation has been proposed to count military service as experience for local government positions, offering veterans advantages like quicker qualification for higher-ranking jobs, salary bonuses, and additional leave.
- The program and related incentives, including substantial signing bonuses and war-zone pay, aim to attract young Russians to military service by promising post-war career opportunities in government or state-backed companies.
- Despite high application numbers, acceptance is extremely competitive, and many veterans entering politics were already insiders; experts suggest the initiative serves Kremlin control by integrating loyal veterans into bureaucratic roles rather than empowering frontline soldiers directly.
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