The 'Time of Heroes' Initiative and Its Impact on Governance in Occupied Communities
Russia is rapidly scaling up its 'Time of Heroes' program, which replaces civilian officials with combat-experienced military personnel in occupied Ukrainian communities. By 2026, this process has become systematic, signaling a shift in how Moscow manages captured territories. Key positions within occupation administrations are now being filled by graduates of specialized courses conducted at the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.
Between 2024 and 2025, this personnel replacement model was tested in select areas. To date, over 80 program graduates have been integrated into the governance system of Ukraine’s occupied territories. According to the National Resistance Center, 'soldiers returning from the front were sent to study at the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, which trains administrative staff for government bodies. Afterward, they began to be appointed to leadership roles.' The program’s core objective is to gradually push out local collaborators, whom the Kremlin deems unreliable.
Humanitarian Crisis in Oleshky and Moscow’s Broader Strategy
Meanwhile, the situation in Oleshky, located on the left bank of the Kherson region, has deteriorated sharply since late December 2025. Russian forces have imposed a complete humanitarian blockade, mining all access roads to the city. Cases of death from exhaustion and starvation have been reported in Oleshky. Those attempting to deliver bread or medicine become targets of drone attacks. Local residents are now on the brink of survival amid a deepening humanitarian crisis.
In addition, Moscow is funneling hundreds of millions of dollars into construction projects across Ukraine’s occupied territories, including parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions—areas it refers to as 'Novorossiya.' Through these efforts, Russian authorities continue to execute a strategy aimed at cementing control via military presence and administrative restructuring.
The expansion of the 'Time of Heroes' program highlights Russia’s strategic approach to governing occupied lands, particularly by integrating military personnel into civilian administrations. This shift in staffing policy may reflect the Kremlin’s serious intentions for a long-term presence in these regions. At the same time, the humanitarian blockade and crisis in Oleshky underscore the devastating toll on local populations, revealing the grim reality of life under occupation in Ukraine.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Oleshky highlights the dire consequences of the Kremlin's strategies in occupied regions. As reported, the situation has escalated to alarming levels, with reports of starvation and suffering among local residents, including children. To understand the full extent of this tragedy and its implications for the inhabitants, read more about the unfolding events in Oleshky's escalating humanitarian plight.