Russia Deploys Veterans in Elections Amid Hybrid Warfare and Surveillance Concerns

Russia is reportedly fielding a significant number of military veterans in upcoming elections, a move President Vladimir Putin has framed as elevating them to the "new elite." This strategy unfolds as the nation faces heightened international scrutiny and accusations of hybrid warfare tactics.

Simultaneously, concerns are mounting over potential surveillance and privacy breaches, particularly with the introduction of a mobile 'super-app' named Max. This application is alleged to compel millions of Russian citizens to use it, with critics describing it as a potential "backdoor" on user devices. These developments are occurring against a backdrop of escalating hybrid threats targeting Europe, prompting directives to bolster the protection of critical infrastructure and defense facilities.