Putin pushes war veterans into parliament ahead of Russian elections
Russia's upcoming parliamentary vote will see hundreds of candidates with Ukraine war experience, reflecting President Putin's plan to embed veterans in the political elite and secure support for the conflict.
Russians are voting today to elect a new State Duma, the first election since President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine. More than 180 candidates have been identified as participants in the "special military operation," a figure the Kremlin says reflects President Putin's intention to build a political cadre of war veterans.
United Russia, the ruling party, is expected to retain its majority, while opposition parties such as Yabloko were removed from the federal ballot. Independent polling shows a majority of the public still backs the war, though a significant share believes it harms the economy and would prefer a shift of spending toward social services.
Political scientist Dmitry Morozov told Newsweek that the Kremlin expects veterans to form the core of a "Putin majority" and that the 2027 Duma will likely pass legislation to sustain the war effort. He added that veterans are being fast-tracked into senior roles through the "Time of Heroes" program, which offers elite training for government and state-linked corporate positions.
Election Commission chair Ella Pamfilova reported that 1,586 war participants are registered as candidates at various levels, including 186 for the State Duma. United Russia highlighted former marine commander Vladislav Golovin, a Time of Heroes graduate, as one of its top-list candidates.
Analysts note that while many candidates have genuine combat experience, others claim veteran status through peripheral roles such as equipment delivery or short humanitarian trips, raising questions about the depth of their military credentials.
Critics warn that an increasingly powerful veteran bloc could develop grievances if the war drags on or if economic conditions worsen. However, Kremlin officials argue that the Duma will remain subordinate to the executive, limiting any independent political influence from veteran members.
The newly elected Duma will serve for the next decade, overlapping with the 2030 presidential election, and is expected to play a central role in shaping Russia's long-term war and domestic policies.