Delegates to the congress of the “Young Guard of United Russia” were called upon to “return Russia to greatness”

The congress of the Young Guard of United Russia (MGER) was held on Tuesday in the CSKA athletics arena. Before the start, delegates and guests were shown military equipment for SVO participants and were taught how to throw not only pucks and balls, but also knives, as well as how to assemble a Kalashnikov assault rifle. For those especially athletic, a boxing master class from Nikolai Valuev and ground fighting lessons from American-born MMA fighter Jeff Monson were offered. At the congress itself, the Young Guards were reminded of the presidential elections and that they should have already decided on their own choice, and they were also taught to be closer to God and tasked with returning Russia to greatness. The delegates accepted the instructions with delight and eagerly chanted the president’s name.

Formally, MGER is a public organization, but in fact it is positioned as the youth wing of United Russia (UR). But if this congress was attended by a person who knew nothing about it, then based on the surroundings, he would rather assume that we are talking about some kind of paramilitary structure.

Already on the way to the hall, guests and delegates were greeted by an exhibition of things related to the special military operation (SVO). The girl demonstrated green knitted “life bracelets” and explained that they are distinguished by their outstanding strength. “Can you use it to pull someone out?” — the Kommersant correspondent clarified. “Yes, you can pull. “And you can tie someone up,” she added unexpectedly. Nearby were special probes for mines and a complex device with a large antenna, which turned out to be, as the young man on duty here explained, a remote control system for drones.

Closer to the improvised stage, it was possible not only to learn something about military equipment, but also to gain certain skills – from basic hockey and rugby techniques to assembling Kalashnikov assault rifles. And at one of the most popular stands they taught how to throw knives. “They’ve emasculated! Hand down! Let’s throw! Let’s throw! The enemy is near! — the instructor strictly commanded, not letting go of any of the students until at least a couple of knives were firmly stuck into a special wooden board. “One hundred and thirteenth,” he reported on the results of the preparation.

Nearby, State Duma deputy and former world boxing champion Nikolai Valuev was giving a master class in fist fighting: “You expect me to go forward and throw a punch. But do you expect me to change my stance?” And next door, former American and MMA fighter, and now Russian and member of the Bashkortostan parliament, Jeff Monson, was photographed with sambo wrestlers.

Coming onto the stage, behind which stood a large banner with the black and white face of Vladimir Putin, Secretary of the United Russia General Council Andrei Turchak began by thanking the Young Guard for their work during the SVO. “Today we have gathered boys and girls for whom patriotism, dedication, selfless help to others are basic life values. The past few years have shown everyone’s true colors. Someone hid, someone fled the country in difficult times. And people like you got into the thick of things – when the country and its residents needed it,” he said, adding that activists also carry out environmental and donor campaigns, and some realize themselves in government elections.

At the end of his speech, Mr. Turchak spoke “about the main thing,” that is, about the presidential elections, which must be held in such a way that no one has any doubts about their legitimacy, and with a high turnout. “Each of you has long ago made a choice: this is a strong, independent Russia, beloved by all of us. For the president, for great Russia!” — United Russia hinted at the choice already made, without naming names. “Pu-ting! Pu-ting! Pu-ting!” — the Young Guards immediately responded, so loudly that some of those present in the hall whispered whether this was too much.

The guest of the congress, TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov, on the contrary, began immediately with the “main thing”: “For me, this is not a presidential election, this is an oath to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.” Then he spoke about the ongoing “war for existence”, in which those present in the hall must win, and in the end, in fact, he changed the slogan with which Donald Trump went to the US presidential elections in 2016 (“Make America great again”) : “You have to return Russia to the greatness it deserves.”

Also speaking at the congress was the commander of the Akhmat special forces detachment, Apti Alaudinov, whom United Russia seemed to love as a speaker after a number of high-profile speeches at party events. He did not change himself and wished the Young Guard “to be closer to God,” and called Russia “the punishing sword of God.” Speaker of the DPR Parliament Artem Zhoga and representative of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation Maria Kostyuk also addressed the delegates. And at the end, MGER leader Anton Demidov showed a video message to the youth of the Russian Federation, in which he said that now is “the time of real heroes, which has torn off the masks from traitors, the time of deeds, not words,” and promised that Russia will win. “For Russia! For Russia! One for all and all for one! Pu-ting! Pu-ting! Pu-ting!” – Mr. Demidov chanted from the screen along with other members of MGER. By the way, during the congress, he carefully monitored that the Young Guards shouted these words on time and live.

The organizational part of the congress, as predicted by Kommersant the day before, passed without sensations: Anton Demidov retained his post, and the MGER coordination council was renewed. In addition, the delegates launched new projects: “Mentor Z”, “Kindness in Hearts!”, “Training to Control Drones”, “Everyone Can Save a Life” and “MGER in Sports”. At the same time, the organization created a public council headed by State Duma deputy Alena Arshinova, who oversees the MGER in United Russia.

As Ms. Arshinova told Kommersant, the council will include “heroes of our time, public figures, cultural figures, politicians, deputies, especially those who were already connected in one way or another” with MGER. She also confirmed that the organization is intensifying its work among students, high school students and college students. Answering Kommersant’s question why MGER previously avoided direct “infiltration” into the student environment, and is now even ready to create its own cells there, Alena Arshinova noted that the Young Guards have always had projects dedicated to student youth: “Students are now politically active, they It’s interesting to be in the Young Guard, they are already starting to create MGER cells in universities.” When asked whether the organization really wants to occupy the Komsomol’s niche, as Kommersant’s sources in MGER say, the deputy answered in the affirmative: “Yes, to occupy the Komsomol’s niche in a good sense.” Although it is impossible to completely become the successor to the Komsomol of Soviet times, because then the country was led by one party, but now it’s still not the case, Ms. Arshinova made a reservation.

Andrey Vinokurov