European parliament calls for hybrid attacks to be recognized as form of warfare, names Russia as greatest threat

Russia is highlighting its wartime veterans in a parliamentary election. These men have fought in Ukraine and are featured in party tickets, campaign videos, and televised debates. They are portrayed as part of Russia's "true elite" and are touted as having a prominent place in civilian life. However, many analysts doubt that most of them will ever hold real power among the ruling class, dismissing it as a means to attract more volunteers to fight.

The election, which began Friday for the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, is the first since the war began and takes place in areas Russia annexed illegally. The Kremlin is tightly managing the election to reinforce the narrative of widespread support for the war and provide legitimacy for its actions. Most Kremlin-aligned parties have candidates who participated in the SVO, the Russian acronym for its war in Ukraine.

One prominent candidate is Vladislav Golovin, a 29-year-old who fought in the battle for Mariupol and lost part of his leg. He was made a Hero of Russia by President Vladimir Putin and now leads a military and patriotic youth organization. Another leading candidate is Yevgeny Poddubny, a war correspondent wounded by a Ukrainian drone.

The ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party has a top candidate who was involved in the separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine in 2014. The Kremlin aims to entice men to fight by promoting veterans in the State Duma campaign, promising them higher causes and bright prospects for their careers. However, many veterans face difficulties post-war, with limited discharge options and insignificant positions offered.