Playing the system: Pro-war politician Mikhail Degtyarev slips free of sanctions and is leading Russia’s bid to rejoin international sports

Mikhail Degtyarev became Minister of Sport in mid-May 2024, transitioning from his role as governor of Khabarovsk Krai in Russia’s Far East. Before him, the ministry was headed by Oleg Matytsin (2020-2024), who had previously overseen student sports.

A source close to the Ministry of Sport told The Insider that Degtyarev initially reacted coolly to the job offer and informally inquired as to whether he could decline the appointment and remain in Khabarovsk. But upon learning that the decision had been made at the highest level of the Kremlin, he refrained from making any serious attempt to resist the promotion.

Degtyarev indirectly confirmed his readiness to serve in any role within the current power structure during his first major informal interview, responding to a question about his initial reluctance to take the post by claiming:

“I welcomed the offer with enthusiasm — like a footsoldier of the president — with readiness and gratitude. Wherever and whenever I’m sent, I will go. Civil service isn’t much different from the military. And yes, it’s true I hadn’t planned to leave Khabarovsk. I was building a roadmap until 2031 — two full terms as governor.”

Though closely associated with the nationalist authoritarian Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) for much of his political career, Degtyarev actually started out in Putin’s United Russia. At 18, he led the Samara branch of the pro-Kremlin youth movement “Walking Together,” joining Russia's ruling party two years later. He has now spent 20 years in the LDPR, having switched his allegiance in 2005 because of his admiration for Vladimir Zhirinovsky, whose “work ethic, love for people, and belief in youth” seem to have impressed him deeply.

Degtyarev ran twice as an LDPR candidate for the post of Moscow mayor, but Zhirinovsky was reportedly dissatisfied with the way his young protégé ran the campaigns. Degtyarev earned just 2.86% of the vote in 2013 (5th place out of 6) and 6.72% in 2018 (4th out of 5).

The candidate described the campaigns as a training exercise:

“It was training — even up against Alexei Navalny [who won 27.24% in 2013]. We torpedoed each other. It was unforgettable! What a character! Not much of a debater, though. We barely have any career politicians in this country. I think that’s the tragedy of our time. I’ve never hidden the fact that I’m building a career in politics.”

One incident that has followed Degtyarev for the past decade first surfaced during the 2013 campaign — a now-infamous photo of the young candidate in a sauna with Zhirinovsky.