Story perspectives

Kremlin Deploys War Veterans, Ex-Convicts Amid Demobilization

7/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Kremlin launched the “Time of Heroes” program to place Ukrainian-war veterans in public roles as Russia prepares to demobilise thousands of soldiers, including up to 180,000 former convicts.
Vladimir Putin took power in 1999, reasserting state control over criminal networks and integrating them into governance to evade sanctions.
Studies say unemployed, traumatized veterans can apply military logistics and intelligence skills to organized crime, raising its sophistication.

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Story summary

The Kremlin launched the “Time of Heroes” program to place Ukrainian-war veterans in public roles as Russia prepares to demobilise thousands of soldiers, including up to 180,000 former convicts.
Vladimir Putin took power in 1999, reasserting state control over criminal networks and integrating them into governance to evade sanctions.
Studies say unemployed, traumatized veterans can apply military logistics and intelligence skills to organized crime, raising its sophistication.