Putin: Russia's future leaders must be veterans of the war in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the country's future political elite should consist of veterans of the war in Ukraine. In his opinion, those who risked their lives for the “fatherland” should hold leadership positions and become his successors.

These statements were made during a meeting with factions of the Russian State Duma, reports the Newsweek portal. According to estimates, more than 1.5 million Russians have participated in the fighting so far.

Since the invasion began in 2022, Moscow has conscripted hundreds of thousands of people, including released prisoners, into military service. However, the return of veterans also poses serious problems—many suffer from trauma, leading to an increase in crime and other social problems.

(mja)