“Drinking in the Kremlin has greatly increased during the war”

Alcohol consumption among Putin’s closest associates has risen sharply since the invasion of Ukraine.

Before the war, a few Kremlin employees started the day with a glass of vodka.

Now many more do – some even start the day with a bottle of vodka, according to the exiled Russian newspaper Verstka.

Verstka spoke to sources familiar with the drinking habits of the Russian presidential administration, the Russian government and regional elites.

Previously, a maximum of one bottle of wine or vodka per person was served at official state banquets. Since the start of the invasion of Ukraine, the norm has increased and now 1.5-2 bottles of wine or vodka per person are served at the banquets, according to the sources.

Among Kremlin employees, alcohol consumption in the mornings has reportedly increased:

Not everyone in the presidential administration used to start the day with a glass of vodka. Now I know of many more who do, and for some the glass has become a bottle,” says one source.

“Medvedev often drunk”
Verstka writes that several regional governors have greatly increased their alcohol intake since the start of the war, probably due to increased stress. In addition, the newspaper states that there are many rumours about former President Dmitry Medvedev’s high alcohol intake.

Source: Aftonbladet