The departure of the deputy head of the Ministry of Finance to his post is not related to his professional activities

Andrey Zarenin, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, who decided to go on a special military operation (SVO), had no complaints in the civil service, his decision is not related to his professional activities. Sources familiar with several federal officials told Izvestia about this on April 3.

The interlocutor described Zarenin as a qualified and effective professional. The service in the SVO can become a kind of personnel springboard for him — Russia is now committed to strengthening human resources, in which its participants will be given preference, says another source.

The very fact of the deputy minister's retirement was confirmed to Izvestia by a federal official familiar with him.

According to one of Izvestia's interlocutors, participation in the SVO may become an argument that strengthens Zarenin's position in further employment.

"This is due to personal issues, there are no problems with work," one of the official's acquaintances assured.

Zarenin has signed a contract to serve in the BARS-Kursk brigade, Alexander Khinshtein, Governor of the Kursk Region, said on his Telegram channel. It is noted that the deputy head of the Ministry of Defense will lead the direction of UAVs and counteraction to enemy unmanned systems, and will also oversee the innovative development of the brigade and the exchange of experience with military units in the area of their own.

"Becoming a volunteer is his personal decision, which I can only welcome. <...> Andrey Zarenin's deed deserves the highest praise. If I'm not mistaken, he is the first acting federal deputy minister to replace his office with camouflage and barracks. I am sure that his move to Kursk land will only be for the good and will help significantly strengthen the security of the region," Khinstein stressed.

Climbing: how is the recruitment of unmanned systems for new troops going?

There are many young people among the volunteers who are ready to master the most modern technology.

On March 27, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, announced the number of Russians who have signed contracts with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation since the beginning of 2026. Thus, according to the statistics provided by him, more than 80 thousand recruits joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

On March 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for support to all participants of the SVR and their families. He pointed out the importance of paying "the most serious" attention to the problems faced by fighters or their relatives, as well as solving the identified issues smoothly.

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