A poster from a popular online military sim titled War Thunder appeared on the wall during a room briefing led by Dmitry Medvedev, who holds the position of Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council. The moment was captured and shared through a Telegram channel known for reporting on political and military affairs. The incident drew attention because it highlighted the intersecting worlds of entertainment media and state information events, a pattern that observers have noted in various settings across the years.
The report also notes a familiarity with the imagery, pointing out that a very similar War Thunder poster was used in a 2016 advertising push tied to the film 28 Panfilov’s Men. Journalists have suggested that the game’s developers themselves contributed to crafting the visual concept for that campaign, a collaboration that has fueled discussion about the relationships between entertainment producers and state-sponsored or public-facing media campaigns.
On the morning of November 9, Medvedev visited a military training site located in the Alabino area near Moscow. There, he conducted a briefing with officers from the 337th Air Assault Regiment of the 104th Guards Air Assault Division. Video footage of the visit circulated on social channels and was later shared in Medvedev’s own Telegram feed, illustrating how modern leaders combine on-site engagement with digital dissemination to reach a broader audience, including audiences outside of Russia who follow regional defense discussions.
During the session, the discussion touched on manpower policy and the ongoing recruitment of contract servicemen. Medvedev noted that the armed forces have continued to attract a substantial number of new contract personnel, reporting a figure that indicates robust interest from civilians entering military service through contractual terms. He described the recruitment trajectory as favorable and on track, underscoring the positive momentum in the mechanism that brings civilians into professional military roles on a contractual basis.
The Deputy Chairman also stressed that the authorities intend to sustain these efforts into the coming year. He indicated that the pool of potential contract service applicants remains sizeable and that there is little to no remaining hesitancy among individuals who are considering signing up for long-term engagement with the armed forces. The emphasis was on maintaining steady, predictable processes for attracting qualified individuals who can contribute to the structure and readiness of the military within the framework of contract-based service.
Earlier remarks attributed to Medvedev referenced continued, reliable compensation to service members as a component of the broader policy. The discussion included assurances that financial arrangements for personnel under contract would be maintained, aligning with the goal of stability and continuity in military staffing over time.