Kateryna Stepanenko
@katstepanenko.bsky.social
Russia Research Fellow @TheStudyofWar.bsky.social | Russian Cognitive Warfare, Kremlin Drama, Drones & Force Generation | opinions my own
https://www.understandingwar.org/press-media/staff-bios/kateryna-stepanenko
https://www.understandingwar.org/press-media/staff-bios/kateryna-stepanenko
Girkin, for example, formed the “Club of Angry Patriots” in Spring 2023 composed of anti-Putin veterans of the Russian invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine in 2014 — people whom the Kremlin was increasingly sidelining by early 2023.
June 24, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Girkin, for example, formed the “Club of Angry Patriots” in Spring 2023 composed of anti-Putin veterans of the Russian invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine in 2014 — people whom the Kremlin was increasingly sidelining by early 2023.
A Kremlin-affiliated milblogger stated on June 9 that organizers of the Time of Heroes program, such as Russian Presidential Administration Deputy Head Sergei Kiriyenko said that there are problems with the program.
June 18, 2025 at 5:44 PM
A Kremlin-affiliated milblogger stated on June 9 that organizers of the Time of Heroes program, such as Russian Presidential Administration Deputy Head Sergei Kiriyenko said that there are problems with the program.
Putin notably met with Time of Heroes participants on June 11 to commemorate Russia Day and stated that he had created the Time of Heroes program to ensure that future Russia is connected to Russian veterans.
June 18, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Putin notably met with Time of Heroes participants on June 11 to commemorate Russia Day and stated that he had created the Time of Heroes program to ensure that future Russia is connected to Russian veterans.
Some milbloggers even called on the Kremlin to recreate PMCs with a higher level of independence, implying that the Russian MoD & military are incapable of attracting qualified recruits for Russian operations abroad. understandingwar.org/backgrounder...
June 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Some milbloggers even called on the Kremlin to recreate PMCs with a higher level of independence, implying that the Russian MoD & military are incapable of attracting qualified recruits for Russian operations abroad. understandingwar.org/backgrounder...
Russian insider sources claimed on May 14 that Russian authorities informed Wagner Group mercenaries stationed in Africa that their deployments would end in June-July 2025.
June 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Russian insider sources claimed on May 14 that Russian authorities informed Wagner Group mercenaries stationed in Africa that their deployments would end in June-July 2025.
The Wagner Group announced on June 6 that it is leaving Mali after 3.5 years, likely as part of the Russian Ministry of Defense's (MoD) ongoing effort to replace remaining Wagner personnel with state-controlled Africa Corps.
June 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
The Wagner Group announced on June 6 that it is leaving Mali after 3.5 years, likely as part of the Russian Ministry of Defense's (MoD) ongoing effort to replace remaining Wagner personnel with state-controlled Africa Corps.
Putin called Russian veterans interested in government service Russia's "real gold reserve" and claimed that veterans constitute a new elite.
Putin expressed hope that the "Time of Heroes" program will generate more parliamentarians and deputies during the April 28 Council of Legislators meeting.
Putin expressed hope that the "Time of Heroes" program will generate more parliamentarians and deputies during the April 28 Council of Legislators meeting.
April 30, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Putin called Russian veterans interested in government service Russia's "real gold reserve" and claimed that veterans constitute a new elite.
Putin expressed hope that the "Time of Heroes" program will generate more parliamentarians and deputies during the April 28 Council of Legislators meeting.
Putin expressed hope that the "Time of Heroes" program will generate more parliamentarians and deputies during the April 28 Council of Legislators meeting.
Putin responded by encouraging municipal leaders to find and help veterans who do not meet eligibility qualifications and stated that these requirements can be changed if a veteran was a patriot and made sacrifices to defend Russia.
April 30, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Putin responded by encouraging municipal leaders to find and help veterans who do not meet eligibility qualifications and stated that these requirements can be changed if a veteran was a patriot and made sacrifices to defend Russia.
Another municipal official proposed to Putin to drop higher education and prior professional experience as an eligibility requirement for municipal government service, even suggesting that one year of combat experience could count as two years of municipal service experience.
April 30, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Another municipal official proposed to Putin to drop higher education and prior professional experience as an eligibility requirement for municipal government service, even suggesting that one year of combat experience could count as two years of municipal service experience.
Putin heard reports from municipal leaders about the progress of the "Time of Heroes" Higher School of Public Administration program and its affiliates, such as "Schools of Heroes" on April 21.
Putin used this meeting to set information conditions for the expansion of the "Time of Heroes" program.
Putin used this meeting to set information conditions for the expansion of the "Time of Heroes" program.
April 30, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Putin heard reports from municipal leaders about the progress of the "Time of Heroes" Higher School of Public Administration program and its affiliates, such as "Schools of Heroes" on April 21.
Putin used this meeting to set information conditions for the expansion of the "Time of Heroes" program.
Putin used this meeting to set information conditions for the expansion of the "Time of Heroes" program.
Russian federal subjects appear to have been intensifying their recruitment efforts since March 2025 & are spending significant funds on advertising, suggesting that the Kremlin intends to sustain current force generation efforts for some time, peace talks notwithstanding.
April 17, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Russian federal subjects appear to have been intensifying their recruitment efforts since March 2025 & are spending significant funds on advertising, suggesting that the Kremlin intends to sustain current force generation efforts for some time, peace talks notwithstanding.
For example, Primorsk Krai Governor Oleg Kozhemyako has increased the regional enlistment bonuses three time since the start of 2025.
April 17, 2025 at 2:25 PM
For example, Primorsk Krai Governor Oleg Kozhemyako has increased the regional enlistment bonuses three time since the start of 2025.
Some estimates suggest that Russia is currently recruiting around 1,300 volunteers per day, or about 39,000 per month.
April 17, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Some estimates suggest that Russia is currently recruiting around 1,300 volunteers per day, or about 39,000 per month.
Peskov implied that Ukraine's ban on negotiations with Russia is inhibiting progress towards ending the war. The Ukrainian government is legally prohibited from lifting martial law while Russia continues to attack Ukraine, however.
April 17, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Peskov implied that Ukraine's ban on negotiations with Russia is inhibiting progress towards ending the war. The Ukrainian government is legally prohibited from lifting martial law while Russia continues to attack Ukraine, however.
2. April 11: Popov's lawyer stated that Russian authorities had not yet considered Popov's petition to suspend court proceedings and send Popov to fight in Ukraine.
3. April 16: Popov's lawyer asked Tambov Garrison Military Court to issue Popov an acquittal.
3. April 16: Popov's lawyer asked Tambov Garrison Military Court to issue Popov an acquittal.
April 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
2. April 11: Popov's lawyer stated that Russian authorities had not yet considered Popov's petition to suspend court proceedings and send Popov to fight in Ukraine.
3. April 16: Popov's lawyer asked Tambov Garrison Military Court to issue Popov an acquittal.
3. April 16: Popov's lawyer asked Tambov Garrison Military Court to issue Popov an acquittal.
Popov is affiliated with the “Storm Gladiator” penal special purpose assault battalion, but it is unclear whether the Kremlin will assign Popov to command this unit.
www.currenttime.tv/a/gladiator-...
www.currenttime.tv/a/gladiator-...
April 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Popov is affiliated with the “Storm Gladiator” penal special purpose assault battalion, but it is unclear whether the Kremlin will assign Popov to command this unit.
www.currenttime.tv/a/gladiator-...
www.currenttime.tv/a/gladiator-...
A Russian security official later revealed on April 9 that Popov will assume command of an unspecified “Storm Z” penal detachment operating in Ukraine. The Russian military command primarily uses “Storm Z” penal detachments in suicidal frontal assaults -- effectively a death sentence.
April 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
A Russian security official later revealed on April 9 that Popov will assume command of an unspecified “Storm Z” penal detachment operating in Ukraine. The Russian military command primarily uses “Storm Z” penal detachments in suicidal frontal assaults -- effectively a death sentence.
On April 9, Popov’s lawyer announced on April 9 that Popov signed a military service contract with the Russian MoD and will return to military service in Ukraine in exchange for the suspension of his impending criminal trial.
April 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
On April 9, Popov’s lawyer announced on April 9 that Popov signed a military service contract with the Russian MoD and will return to military service in Ukraine in exchange for the suspension of his impending criminal trial.
Popov then once again weaponized the Russian information space by publishing a public appeal to Putin in late March 2025, demonstrating that the Kremlin has not yet fully solved the problem of military commanders using their popularity to pressure the president.
April 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Popov then once again weaponized the Russian information space by publishing a public appeal to Putin in late March 2025, demonstrating that the Kremlin has not yet fully solved the problem of military commanders using their popularity to pressure the president.
The Kremlin also seemingly punished high-ranking Russian officials who attempted to defend Popov’s criticisms of the Russian military command in July 2023, although it is unlikely that these removals were solely because of Popov’s controversy - namely Gurulev and Andrei Turchak.
April 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The Kremlin also seemingly punished high-ranking Russian officials who attempted to defend Popov’s criticisms of the Russian military command in July 2023, although it is unlikely that these removals were solely because of Popov’s controversy - namely Gurulev and Andrei Turchak.
The establishment and rapid development of the Association of “SVO” Veterans and the “SVOi” Military Brotherhood demonstrate that the Kremlin is prioritizing establishing administrative, financial, and organizational control over Russian veterans’ communities and organizations in 2025.
March 24, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The establishment and rapid development of the Association of “SVO” Veterans and the “SVOi” Military Brotherhood demonstrate that the Kremlin is prioritizing establishing administrative, financial, and organizational control over Russian veterans’ communities and organizations in 2025.
The Kremlin created the Association of “SVO” Veterans in November 2023 & the “SVOi” Military Brotherhood in October 2024 to replace other existing veteran civil societies that have been critical of Russia’s conduct of the war in Ukraine but essential for supporting Russian training & recruitment.
March 24, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The Kremlin created the Association of “SVO” Veterans in November 2023 & the “SVOi” Military Brotherhood in October 2024 to replace other existing veteran civil societies that have been critical of Russia’s conduct of the war in Ukraine but essential for supporting Russian training & recruitment.
The Kremlin uses the "Time of Heroes" program to set conditions for permanent recruitment and militarization of Russian society to continue its aggression against Ukraine and possibly against NATO.
March 24, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The Kremlin uses the "Time of Heroes" program to set conditions for permanent recruitment and militarization of Russian society to continue its aggression against Ukraine and possibly against NATO.
The Kremlin established the "Time of Heroes" Higher School of Public Administration in February 2024 to form a new Russian elite composed of a limited number of loyal and ultranationalist veterans that will continue to militarize the Russian society over the long term.
March 24, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The Kremlin established the "Time of Heroes" Higher School of Public Administration in February 2024 to form a new Russian elite composed of a limited number of loyal and ultranationalist veterans that will continue to militarize the Russian society over the long term.
The Kremlin is likely establishing the fund as the sole mechanism through which veterans can receive compensation, possibly making it harder for independent veterans civil society to seek funding outside the government framework.
March 24, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The Kremlin is likely establishing the fund as the sole mechanism through which veterans can receive compensation, possibly making it harder for independent veterans civil society to seek funding outside the government framework.