Putin promotes cousin to top defence role, raising nepotism concerns
Vladimir Putin promoted his cousin Anna Tsivilyova to a position in the Ministry of Defence. According to the British Ministry of Defence, this is a challenge even for Russia's tolerance of corruption and may indicate the growing insularity of the country's elite.
Putin promoted Tsivilyova, his cousin's daughter and often referred to as his niece, to State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence. This is her latest promotion. In June of this year, Tsivilyova became Deputy Minister of Defence and will retain that position.
As explained, as State Secretary, Tsivilyova has been elevated above the ordinary Deputy Ministers of Defence, of whom there are seven, and will be responsible for contacts with the parliament and other departments in the Ministry.
In the update, it was noted that nothing is known about any experience or contacts she had in defence matters before 2023. She is a psychiatrist by education and later worked in companies dealing with medical supplies.
Putin's cousin is married to the energy minister
In 2023, she became the chairperson of the State Foundation for the Support of Participants of the Special Military Operation "Defenders of the Fatherland," which organizes collections to support the war in Ukraine. Tsivilyova is married to the Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsiwilow.
"The initial promotion of Tsivilyova in June was met with muted criticism from the Russian press due to nepotism, which posed a challenge even for Russian tolerance of corrupt practices. There is a real possibility that her further promotions indicate the growing insularity of the Russian elite," it was assessed.
