7am Putin’s new wartime allies
Nov 23, 2025
Kate de Pury, a Moscow-based journalist and former Reuters correspondent, delves into the evolving landscape of Russia's ruling class influenced by the war in Ukraine. She discusses how long-standing elites are being replaced by new figures closely tied to the battlefield. De Pury highlights Anna Tsivilova's rise and the implications of wartime promotions. She also analyzes the long-term effects of these shifts on ordinary Russians, who are increasingly disenchanted with the ongoing conflict and the elite's new dynamics.
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Old Elite Composition
- Putin's pre-war elite mixed St. Petersburg associates, security chiefs, and technocrats who sustained the state.
- Technocrats held diverse views but kept government functioning and were rewarded for staying out of politics.
War Rewrites Political Value
- Since the invasion, winning the war became the primary criterion for political value in Moscow.
- Putin rewards those who can contribute to the war effort, shifting power toward wartime utility.
Rise Of Anna Tsivilova
- Anna Tsivilova, widely reported as Putin's second cousin, was appointed deputy defense minister and became a public face for veterans.
- Her active social channels show her meeting veterans and officiating events, blending empathy with toughness.