Fearing Putin: Kremlin officials get drunk much more often

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The war in Ukraine has changed everyday life in the Russian Duma. Especially when it comes to alcohol consumption. More and more are showing up at work with a flag – apparently out of desperation over the course of the war, sources confirm to the research portal Verstka.

Especially now that an international punishment order had been issued against Russian President Vladimir Putin (70), Russian politicians should look deeper into the glass. While the Kremlin chief is unlikely to be dragged before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, neither will his subordinates. And Putin is known for finding a scapegoat for every defeat. Many officials are afraid and try to drink them away.

“In the past, not every day in the presidential administration started with a glass of vodka,” an anonymous official told Verstka. “Now I know a lot of people who do it. Sometimes the glass becomes a bottle.” According to employees, high-ranking officials should also stumble into the office drunk during meetings. “Nerves are on edge because of the news and the pressure from the Kremlin,” explains a witness.

Alcohol bills at state banquets doubled

A deputy governor of a Ural region admits that he has drunk much more since the war than before. He says he can’t stop drinking. But given the circumstances, that seemed “quite normal” to him.

Another deputy governor says alcohol limits have even been raised at official state banquets. People used to count on one bottle of wine per person, now there are already two.

The ruble rolls, the wine flows

Suppliers confirm increased alcohol consumption: government agencies would buy more cognac, champagne and wine. Just recently, five million rubles (more than 500,000 francs) were spent on vodka at an official meeting, according to a Kremlin catering bill. Despite sanctions, the ruble rolls and the alcohol flows. Russia also circumvents the import bans of third countries such as Macedonia.

As early as September, Putin was concerned about the condition of “some people from his close circle,” according to a source on the Russian medium in exile “Meduza”. “People have been de-stressing since the beginning of the war,” a source continues. “These are ministers, their deputies, some deputy prime ministers, officials of the presidential administration and the Security Council, some heads of state-owned enterprises, governors.”

Putin himself is a big fan of beer. But since 2020 he wants to live a healthier life. “I’ve been trying not to drink beer lately. The belly is growing,” the president said. Other sources close to the Kremlin confirm that the president is always sober. (jwg)

Source: Blick