Russian official says Russia will remain in state of war for next two decades

Andrei Bezrukov, an adviser to Rosneft chief Igor Sechin and a former Russian spy exposed by the US, has stated at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) that Russia will remain in a state of war for the next "couple of decades". According to him, two "combat generation" cohorts are growing up in the country.

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Andrei Bezrukov, an adviser to Rosneft chief Igor Sechin and political analyst, claimed that Russia will remain in a state of war for the next "couple of decades". Bezrukov is also known as a Russian intelligence agent exposed in the United States.

According to Bezrukov, during this period Russia will see the growth of two so-called combat generations — young people shaped by the reality of war and military thinking. The statement suggests that Kremlin-aligned circles do not view peace negotiations as a serious possibility in the near future.

SPIEF is an annual series of economic forums organized by Russia, which many international companies and countries boycott due to Western sanctions and the war in Ukraine. Nevertheless, Kremlin-friendly politicians and analysts actively participate there. Bezrukov's statement reflects the long-term military calculations characteristic of Russia's leadership.

For Estonia and NATO, such signals are significant: if Kremlin-aligned experts are planning a conflict lasting decades, it underscores the need for sustained military readiness. In recent years, NATO has strengthened its presence in the Baltic states, including Estonia, precisely based on such assessments of Russia's long-term military ambitions.