Putin’s Soldiers Are Becoming Russia’s Next Deep State

Coverage from Meduza, Forbes, Newsweek, and Russian-language outlets Говорит НеМосква, Українські Національні Новини, and Інтент describes a coordinated push to integrate military personnel who fought in Ukraine into civilian institutions across Russia and occupied Crimea. President Putin has instructed that war veterans be prepared for work in public administration, while the "Time of Heroes" program will now accept military personnel without higher education. In Crimea, quotas for Russian military personnel in educational institutions have been introduced. Meduza reports that employers are being required to hire soldiers who fought in Ukraine, documenting their recruitment as kindergarten teachers, school psychologists, and even ballet dancers. Forbes examines how these veterans are entering civilian life and politics, while Newsweek frames the trend as the emergence of Russia's next deep state.

The coverage emphasizes the breadth and speed of this institutional integration. Meduza's reporting highlights the unusual range of civilian positions being filled — from early childhood education to performing arts — suggesting a deliberate strategy rather than ad hoc hiring. Forbes focuses on the political dimension, tracking veterans' entry into governance structures. Newsweek's analysis connects these individual placements to a broader transformation of state power. The Russian-language outlets provide the regulatory details: program eligibility changes, presidential directives, and regional quota implementations in Crimea. Together, the sources document a multi-track approach combining federal mandates, educational pipelines, and direct employment requirements.

This development occurs against the backdrop of Russia's continued military operations in Ukraine, now in their third year. The systematic absorption of combat veterans into civilian institutions represents a significant shift in post-Soviet Russian governance, where security services and military personnel have historically influenced politics but not typically populated roles like kindergarten teachers or ballet dancers at scale. The "Time of Heroes" program, originally designed for officer-track personnel, expanding to those without higher education signals a dramatic broadening of the veteran cohort targeted for civilian leadership. Crimea's quota system demonstrates how occupied territories serve as implementation zones for policies later extended mainland.

Watch for the geographic spread of Crimea-style quotas to other regions, the legislative formalization of employer hiring mandates, and the first cohort of "Time of Heroes" graduates without higher education entering administrative posts. Monitor whether veterans placed in education and cultural roles face public resistance or acceptance. Track Forbes' ongoing coverage of veterans winning elected office or receiving political appointments. Observe if the Kremlin issues further directives expanding the categories of civilian institutions required to absorb military personnel.