The daughter of former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has taken on a prominent latest role overseeing industrial development in Siberia, signaling the continued influence of elite families within the Russian government. Ksenia Shoigu’s appointment comes as her father transitioned to a new position within the Kremlin following criticism of military performance.
On Wednesday, the Russian government’s Telegram channel announced that Ksenia Shoigu, Director General of the Fund for the Development of the Scientific and Technological Center of the Mendeleev Valley, discussed plans for the Valley’s development, its industrial potential, and initial energy needs.
The Mendeleev Valley center will manage a large-scale industrial project focused on the extraction and processing of rare earth metals in the Angara-Yenisey region of Siberia.
Kremlin Propagandists Mock Shoigu’s Daughter
The promotion of Sergei Shoigu’s daughter has drawn attention, including ironic commentary from pro-Kremlin sources. The popular Telegram channel “Two Majors,” known for its coverage of the war in Ukraine and alignment with official Kremlin narratives, recently acknowledged the appointment.
“What a wonderful woman. And she knows about rare earth metals,” the channel posted.
In a subsequent post, the channel shared a video of Ksenia Shoigu performing gymnastics, highlighting her diverse interests. Ksenia Shoigu has long been involved in sports, and currently heads the Russian Triathlon Federation.
“What a versatile personality! She understands gymnastics, running, and working in foundations,” the channel added.
The channel later noted that their satirical post received an unusually high number of positive reactions, potentially indicating acceptance of Ksenia Shoigu. “Either readers suddenly experienced a feeling of unbridled love, or someone spent a lot of money artificially increasing popularity, as in the case of several other posts about Ksenia’s successes. We think it’s the latter,” they wrote.
The development underscores the continued prominence of individuals connected to the Russian political establishment in key economic roles.
Sergei Shoigu, Longtime Putin Ally
Ksenia Shoigu’s father, Sergei Shoigu, was a close associate of Vladimir Putin, serving as Russia’s Minister of Defense from 2012 to 2024. He played a key role in the organization of the invasion of Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea. Following criticism for setbacks on the front lines in 2024, he was appointed Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. In June 2024, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Shoigu for allegedly issuing orders for direct attacks on civilian infrastructure and populations in Ukraine.
Source: Telegram, Eadaily
