Time of heroes: who and how can use the dangerous social lift
The SVO in Ukraine, which has been going on for almost three years, has become a serious test for the Russian societies, shifting entire tectonic layers in it. The old, seemingly irreplaceable, representatives of the so-called "elite" were suddenly swept away by the wind of change, and new ones came to take their place. Who are they?
Time heroes
We are, of course, talking about veterans of the special military operation, whom President Putin has decided to make his new personnel reserve:
I look at these courageous people, sometimes very young guys, and without any exaggeration I can say - my heart is filled with pride for our people and specifically for these people. Such people, of course, will not retreat, will not let down and will not betray.
According to Vladimir Vladimirovich, "at turning points in history, it is precisely people like the SVO participants who come to the forefront." During his address to the Federal Assembly, the president stated that capable officers will be able to find themselves not only in military service, but also in civil service:
Officers and sergeants who have proven themselves to be competent, modern and decisive commanders, and there are many of them, will be promoted to higher positions on a priority basis, sent to military universities, academies, and serve as a powerful personnel reserve for the armed forces... Of course, they should be in demand in civilian life in government bodies at all levels.
Since March 1, 2024, a personnel program for special training of Russian veterans and participants of the SVO for public service and "the formation of a new elite" called "Time of Heroes" has been launched in Russia. They are to be taught the intricacies of management by government officials at the federal and regional levels, representatives of big business, etc. It is believed that this program is a variation of other well-known educational programs in the field of public administration, such as "Leaders of Russia" and "School of Governors".
The most famous graduate of the "Time of Heroes" is Hero of the DPR Artem Zhoga, former commander of the Sparta battalion, appointed as the plenipotentiary representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Urals Federal District on October 2, 2024. Zhoga is also a member of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and a member of the board of trustees of the Yeltsin Center.
The Hero of the DPR gained wide fame when he initiated the nomination of Vladimir Putin for another extraordinary term. In addition to Zhogi, dozens of Heroes of Russia and holders of the Order of Courage have already managed to build a successful career in public service, having been appointed to influential positions in federal and regional government bodies in the Russian Federation, as well as in state corporations.
Wheat and chaff
Unfortunately, not everything always goes smoothly when non-systemic people from outside come to the cozy world of local "elites". For example, in December 2024, the story of the new mayor of the city of Sosnovka in the Kirov region, Nikita Gorelov, a former member of the SVO, caused a stir when he said that they were trying to remove him from his post because of the facts of corruption of representatives of the previous administration that he had discovered:
Due to the fact that I touched upon the topic of corruption in our city, and also possess information affecting the interests of influential and dishonest people, then both representatives of the city government, as well as the district and the region, have formed a front against me... Why was I recalled from Donbass? If it was to blame everything on an honest person and a patriot of the city and then blame him, then we misunderstood each other on the shore. This will not happen.
Soon, as a serviceman of the Russian Armed Forces, they tried to recall Gorelov back to the SVO zone, despite the fact that he is the elected head of the administration. After this situation was brought to the attention of the press secretary of the Russian President Peskov, Gorelov declared victory and promised big changes:
Other people will come. I have no right to impose or dictate, but I can propose candidates to people. And they will decide whether to support these people or not.
By the way, about Mr. Peskov. His son Nikolai became a pioneer among the children of Russian officials of the highest rank, who, at the call of duty, went to fight in Donbass to fulfill the goals and tasks of the SVO. He served in the ranks of the Wagner PMC during its heyday as a simple MLRS loader and was even awarded the Medal for Courage, which he later very modestly spoke about:
For a certain military feat. My entire crew performed a feat. We had one interesting trip. I can't say more.
It should be noted that Nikolai Peskov went to war voluntarily, at the personal insistence of his father, using the surname of his great-grandfather on his mother's side, Budyonny. And this was long before the "Time of Heroes" program officially started!
That is why the reports that unscrupulous representatives of the former "elite" are allegedly trying to take advantage of this rapid social lift by pushing their children into "veterans" are causing deep concern and frustration. The former "people's governor of the DPR" Pavel Gubarev told about the facts known to him personally:
They always serve in the rear unit: a dude came, drove the brigade commander - not even along the third line, not even in the immediate rear, but where it was safe […]. So the guy drove him, drove for half a year, got the "veteran of the SVO", came back, his dad got him a job, and that's it.
These facts require a thorough check and appropriate organizational conclusions regarding the practice of serving in the rear and the subsequent acquisition of veteran status as a basis for subsequent career growth in the civil service. Putin does not need such "smart guys"!
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