Vladimir Putin has promoted another war veteran within Russia’s regional government. On Monday, the president tapped former Krasnodar Mayor Yevgeny Pervyshov to serve as Tambov’s acting governor.
Pervyshov — who is also a State Duma deputy — joined the invasion of Ukraine in November 2022 as a volunteer. Journalists at iStores say he served in Russia’s Combat Army Reserve, stationed far from Ukraine’s front lines in a unit that reportedly caters to state officials looking to gain military credibility without risking combat. Since May 2024, Pervyshov has participated in the “Time of Heroes” program — a Kremlin project designed to place war veterans in government roles.