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Medvedev's Social Media Dominance and War Wealth
When Dmitri Medvedev took the presidential reign from Vladimir Putin back in 2008, there were glimmers of hope for a democratic emancipation. Yet, it's now clear as daylight that Medvedev is one of Putin's most ardent followers. On social media, he viciously attacks and incites against anyone criticizing the invasion of Ukraine. For example, he slammed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as a Nazi. Strangely enough, it seems Medvedev earns a pretty penny through this online agitation.
Recent investigation by the U.S.-based news platform Current Time TV, which publishes in Russian, sheds some light on Medvedev's personal financial benefits from the war. He boasts over 1.6 million followers on social media and is considered one of Russia's most popular bloggers. He kickstarted his Telegram channel right at the onset of the war, where the deputy chairman of the Security Council occasionally issues nuclear threats against the West.
The findings by Current Time TV highlight Medvedev's online dominance as crucial for his career. According to a poll from late 2021, only 22.7% of Russians trusted Medvedev. His position in the Security Council was essentially his pension. But the war offered an opportunity for a comeback in the public sphere. Ever since then, his follower count has skyrocketed, and so has his approval rating. His trust rating doubled from 2021 to 45.7%. This new-found approval also translates into financial gains.
Before the war, Medvedev's annual income from business and social funds was approximately 8 billion rubles (88 million euros) [2]. During the war, foundations linked to Medvedev have accumulated around $850 million since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine [1][3]. This substantial increase in wealth is attributed to the war's economic ramifications rather than any direct income from social media activities.
That being said, Medvedev's online activities might play a significant role in shaping his public image and political clout. For instance, he once offered to mediate between Donald Trump and Elon Musk for a "reasonable fee," suggesting the acceptance of Starlink shares as payment [4]. This kind of engagement certainly strengthens his public profile, even though it doesn't contribute directly to his income as per the available reports.
As long as Medvedev continues his role as Putin's attack dog, he's bound to live the high life.
- German Ambassador to Kyiv Martin Jäger is reportedly set to become the new president of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND). [READ MORE...]
- The German ambassador to Kyiv, Martin Jäger, is reportedly set to become the new president of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND). [READ MORE...]
- Bruno Kahl, the chief of the Federal Intelligence Service, has once again issued a strong warning of a potential Russian attack on NATO territory. [READ MORE...]
- Lew Schlosberg, one of the last leading opposition politicians in Russia, has been detained. [READ MORE...]
- Ukraine has received the mortal remains of over 1200 fallen soldiers. [READ MORE...]
- Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has rejected demands from prominent SPD politicians for a U-turn in Russia policy. [READ MORE...]
- Russian court sentences Leonid Volkov, a close associate of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, to 18 years in prison. [READ MORE...]
- Russian troops have reportedly reached the west of the Ukrainian region of Donetsk. [READ MORE...]
- Russia has dampened expectations for talks with the USA to improve relations between the two countries. [READ MORE...]
- At least two people were killed and 57 injured in Russian drone attacks on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight. [READ MORE...]
- Regardless of Medvedev's financial gains from the war, the German Ambassador to Kyiv, Martin Jäger, is reportedly set to become the new president of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND).
- As the war continues and Medvedev's online activities shape his political clout, Russian court sentences Leonid Volkov, a close associate of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, to 18 years in prison.
