Russian President Vladimir Putin has significantly expanded the number and role of political commissars, known as _politruks_, within the military since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This revival of a Soviet-era practice, which began in 2018, indicates Putin's growing concern about the loyalty of his military commanders and troops, aiming to prevent the army from becoming a political threat.
Deputy Defense Minister Viktor Goremykin stated on Political Officers Day that the personnel strength of these military-political bodies has "more than tripled," primarily at the unit level in Ukraine. Goremykin's comments suggest _politruks_ are gaining power, even assuming command in "critical situations," echoing their role in World War II. This expansion, however, risks alienating regular officers who despise the interference, potentially undermining unit cohesion and fostering support for future political opponents promising to eliminate this irritant in a post-Putin succession struggle, despite Putin's conviction in its effectiveness.
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