On November 15–16, 2005, the Young Guard of United Russia (MGER) was established after being transformed from Youth Unity during the ruling party’s reorganization. Unlike other pro-Kremlin youth projects of the 2000s, it survived and remains one of the most durable structures in Russia’s political system.
According to Kontur.Focus, MGER’s spending in 2024 reached 293 million rubles, up from 232 million a year earlier. Dmitry Medvedev said in late 2024 that the group had 170,000 members. It is headed by Anton Demidov, who was previously linked to Russia Young, Antimaidan, and the Volunteer Company of Combat Brotherhood.
In spring 2025, MGER signed memorandums with youth organizations in North Korea and China, and in summer its representatives traveled to Venezuela as observers for municipal elections. At the same time, United Russia General Council Secretary Vladimir Yakushev announced a “reset” of the movement in January 2025, arguing it had focused too heavily on volunteer work.
A significant part of MGER’s current activity is tied to Ukrainian regions occupied by Russia. The organization is under sanctions from Ukraine and Canada. Kyiv accuses it of aiding the occupation, including involvement in the removal and transfer of civilians, among them children. Medvedev also thanked MGER for activists who volunteered for the front: at the end of 2023 he spoke of more than 100 people, and in 2024 of 250.
The article also recalls earlier scandals, including staged photographs of members supposedly fighting wildfires in 2010, as well as reported links between some MGER figures and the far right. A former central headquarters employee said activists from the movement took part in surveillance of Alexei Navalny in 2017 and passed information to the presidential administration.
Former participants and political consultants quoted by the paper say MGER has primarily functioned as a кадровый reserve for United Russia: future governors, lawmakers, and officials have come through its ranks, and its main role has been to reproduce loyal party personnel.