russian Security Council Secretary and former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's military contract has reportedly been extended for a further 5 years to run until 2030, when he will turn 75 years old. Sergei Shoigu, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, reportedly missed russia's May 9, 2025, Victory Day parade in Moscow for health-related reasons, according to the UK Defense Intelligence.
The russian state increasingly resembles a gerontocracy; a form of rule in which the senior leaders are significantly older than most of the adult population. The majority of russia's senior leadership, including Vladimir Putin (72), are aged in the vicinity of, and exceeding, russia's reported 2023 average male life expectancy (approximately 68 years).
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence: russia Advances 5 km Near Kostiantynivka, Cuts the H-32 Highway
Vladimir Putin has highly likely sought to keep close personal allies in positions of power to better ensure perceived regime stability, as well as his own survivability. Political appointments derive from patronage and long-term loyalty to Vladimir Putin, as opposed to being merit-based, likely engendering dissatisfaction and frustration amongst the younger generation of ambitious potential leaders.
This also significantly undermines the effectiveness and efficiency of leadership decisions, which are likely made not by the most capable, but by those with the most longstanding acquiescence and commitment to, as well as deriving the most benefit from, Vladimir Putin's authoritarianism.
As Defense Express previously reported, over the last month, russian forces have made increased tactical gains in the central Donetsk region, particularly in the vicinity of Kostiantynivka, a city linked to the large urban areas of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Russia is carrying out attacks in three areas: Chasiv Yar (12 km to the north-east), Toretsk (15 km to the south-east), and east of Pokrovsk along the H-32 highway.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence: Ukrainian Counterpressure Continues as russia Struggles to Push Forward
