Compared with the list of Putin’s confidants from the 2018 campaign, a substantial portion of the names expected to appear this time around are new. The article reports that RBC, citing sources close to the Kremlin, highlights a shift toward fresh faces within the entourage surrounding the presidential bid.
According to the publication, delegates connected to the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation and the Committee of Soldiers’ Families of the Fatherland, alongside members of volunteer organizations, might serve as proxies. Cultural figures are also anticipated to join the roster. Among those named are prominent artists such as the singer Shaman, real name Yaroslav Dronov, filmmaker Nikita Mikhalkov, Valery Gergiev who leads the Mariinsky and Bolshoi theaters, and actors Sergei Bezrukov and Mikhail Boyarsky, with several other representatives from the arts sphere likely to be included.
In addition, individuals from the initiative group tasked with nominating Putin may be added to the proxy list. This group reportedly features Artem Zhoga, a former commander associated with the Spartans battalion and current speaker of the Donetsk People’s Republic parliament, chess grandmaster Sergei Karyakin, singer Polina Gagarina, and other notable figures who hold public influence.
On December 8, Putin publicly signaled his intention to run for president. The announcement was supported by a broad spectrum of government officials, including figures who hold high security and policy responsibilities. The communications surrounding the declaration stressed confidence in the leadership and the stability it may project for the nation’s future.
Observers note that the nomination process in the political landscape often expands beyond formal party structures. When public sentiment aligns with a presidential bid, supporters from various sectors — including cultural institutions, veteran organizations, and professional societies — may converge to bolster the campaign narrative. Analysts point to the potential for a broad coalition to form around the candidate, aiming to reflect a sense of continuity and proven governance while addressing diverse constituencies across the country.