Citizens in charge
The "Time of Heroes" is approaching: Putin's "true elite" will begin governing Russia in two years.
“[The participants of the SVO] must take leading positions in the education and upbringing of youth, in public associations, in state-owned companies, in business, in state and municipal administration, and lead regions, enterprises, and ultimately, the largest domestic projects,” said Putin presenting the "Time of Heroes" program in his address to the Federal Assembly.
The war in Ukraine has long been a catalyst for those who, in peacetime, the country and its people don't particularly need—it's just that now the selection process will be more orderly. Whose time has it come? And how will these "heroes" rise to "leading positions" and lead the regions and projects they're offered?
"NeMoskva" explored the intricacies of the "Time of Heroes" program.
Assault, sabotage, reconnaissance
The aim of the program, as stated on its the official websiteThe program aims to "train highly qualified, competent managers from among the SVO participants for subsequent work in state and municipal government agencies, as well as state-owned companies." The program includes "training in modern management methods and technologies, teamwork, and personal development." The training will last approximately two years.
Forty-four thousand people have applied to participate in the program, and approximately seven thousand have already taken the test. Applications are currently closed on the website, but remote assessment centers at branches of the Presidential Academy (RANEPA) are available. These centers will be open in 45 cities starting May 15. Participants will be recruited on a regular basis going forward.
The selection criteria are simple: in addition to experience in the SVO, you must have Russian citizenship, a higher education, and experience managing people. If you don't have a higher education, the authorities will help you obtain one—Putin promised this. And leadership experience, as can be seen from, for example, a small interview with Dmitry Voronin, a participant in the selection process for the "Time of Heroes" program, it can be obtained during combat operations.
Voronin served as deputy commander of the Tavrida Cossack assault battalion. He "liberated" Mariupol and took part in combat operations in the Zaporizhzhia sector. According to him, "the main functions of the battalion he led were assault, sabotage, and reconnaissance," and he also had to conduct counterintelligence activities in the "new territories." "I am confident that anyone who has distinguished themselves in combat can lead and take responsibility for difficult decisions," he concluded.
Rђ RІRѕS, view Commander of the Tiger volunteer detachment, veteran of the SVO, Hero of the DPR, and now Vice Governor of Primorye for Domestic Policy, Sergei Efremov:
"At the front, everything takes the shortest path; there are no bureaucratic obstacles like those we like to use in civilian life. Everyone there understands perfectly well that any failure, any delay in making a decision, risks the failure of a combat mission and the loss of life. Decisions are made quickly there, without any unnecessary links. I tried to apply this in civilian life, and I admit, it was quite difficult. Everything here is quite bureaucratic, after all. But if the government system has enough people like these guys who have served at the front, we will be able to shift the system and eliminate many bureaucratic obstacles."
Signed a contract? Expunge your criminal record!
On program rules, can be excluded from the program even during the selection process for several reasons. For example, if the applicant has been convicted of inciting extremist activity or justifying extremism, displaying Nazi symbols, etc.
And also - in the presence of "a criminal record or a sentence to punishment that precludes the possibility of performing official duties in a position of state (civil) service by a court decision that has entered into legal force; being under investigation; deprivation by a court decision that has entered into legal force of the right to occupy certain positions or engage in certain activities."
What does this mean in practice?
Article 16 of the Federal Law "On the State Civil Service" also states that a person cannot serve in the civil service if they have an unexpunged or unspent criminal record. This means that those with unexpunged or unspent criminal records will be barred from this program.
Can "heroes" pardoned by Putin be included in the program? Pardons come in several forms. For example, a pardon can result in a release from punishment, a reduction in punishment, or even expungement of a criminal record if the sentence has already been served. Participants in the "SVO" (SVO) are pardoned, but their criminal record remains, meaning they will be barred from civil service and will not be able to participate in the program.
With the same ones who are new Federal Law of March 23, 2024 No. 64-FZ They will be exempt from criminal liability if they enlist in the war, but things are a little different. If suspects sign a contract with the Russian Armed Forces, their cases will be suspended, and for those convicted, their sentence will be commuted to probation. And after receiving an award or being discharged from service, their criminal record will be expunged. And then they can go forth and lead regions, major projects, and so on down the list.
Those convicted of crimes against the sexual integrity of minors, terrorism, or attacks on the constitutional order and state security will not be able to enter into a contract (and, consequently, benefit from the exemption from liability). This means that murderers, robbers, and rapists who choose adult victims are welcome.
My God, what absurdity!
Starting in late April, regional leaders began publishing advertisements for "Time of Heroes." Some limited themselves to dry informational messages, while others, like Head of the Republic of Kalmykia Batu Khasikov — they launched into patriotic pathos:
"The members of the Special Military Forces are heroes who selflessly serve their country. After returning home, it's important for our soldiers to continue moving forward, inspiring future generations by their example. The values they live by now will be in demand in civilian life as well."
"First, bring the soldiers home, and then offer testing. It's like the internet isn't great on the front lines, and being in the trenches for a year and a half isn't exactly great either."
This is the reaction of one of the subscribers to the Telegram channel of Stavropol Governor Vladimir Vladimirov, one of the few governors who has not disabled comments.
Here are comments from Vasily Golubev, Governor of the Rostov Region, in Telegram:
"I wish this program would include responsible, intelligent, conscientious former military personnel willing to learn and work for the good of the country, not those who sit back in military leadership positions, bully their subordinates, especially those who can think, curry favor with their superiors by engaging in window dressing, and then ascend to management positions. Unfortunately, we have plenty of those, and they'll worm their way into the forefront anywhere."
"My God, what absurdity! We shouldn't train managers from among the SVO members, or from Slavs, Armenians, blondes, or brunettes... we should train managers from among professionals in their field."
The comments are mostly complaints about non-payment to military personnel and denial of benefits. There are few substantive responses, and almost no positive ones at all—well, unless you count the same type of citizens declaiming in unison. Perm Governor Dmitry Makhonin's VKontakte group"Excellent program!" - "A good opportunity for military personnel to rise in civilian life" - "This will give them strength and motivation for further development."
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It seems the old joke's question, "If you're so smart, why don't you march in formation?" will soon become obsolete. Both the smart and the stupid will march: the new elite, having marched to the pinnacle of power, will quickly figure this out.
Criminals returning from war convinced that they, the heroic denazifiers, are allowed to do anything—that's terrifying. But commanders at all levels, with their "frontline" notions of leadership, are hardly much better.