1. Biography
Vitaly Milonov's life and political trajectory are defined by his commitment to conservative ideals and his ascent through various levels of Russian governance.
1.1. Early Life and Education
Vitaly Milonov was born on 23 January 1974, in Leningrad, which was then part of the Soviet Union. He pursued higher education in administration and theology. In 2006, he graduated from the North-West Academy of Public Administration in Saint Petersburg, where he studied Local Governance Administration. He furthered his academic pursuits by completing a correspondence course at the Saint Tikhon's Orthodox University in Moscow.
1.2. Political Career
Milonov's political career began in the early 1990s, evolving from local activism to national legislative roles.
1.2.1. Early Political Activities
Milonov initiated his political engagement in 1991 when he joined the Free Democratic Party of Russia. From 1994 to 1995, he served as an an assistant to Vitaly Viktorovich Savitsky, who was then the chairman of the Christian Democratic Union of Russia (CDU). During this period, Milonov also led the "Young Christian Democrats," which was the political youth branch of the CDU Russia. He developed a close relationship with the influential Russian politician Galina Starovoitova, who provided him with political support. Following Starovoitova's assassination, Milonov temporarily withdrew from politics. He re-entered the political arena in 2004 at the municipal level, serving as a council member for the "Dachnoe" community. In 2005, he assumed the role of head of the city administration for Krasnenkaya Rechka Municipal Okrug in Saint Petersburg.
1.2.2. Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg
In 2007, Milonov successfully ran for elections to the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg. During his initial term, he chaired the Committee for the establishment of the government, local government, and territorial management structure. In 2009, he transitioned to leading the Committee for legislation. He was re-elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in 2011. During his tenure in the legislature, Milonov became known as the principal sponsor of the controversial legislation that criminalized "homosexual propaganda directed toward minors."
1.2.3. State Duma of the Russian Federation
In the 2016 Russian legislative election, Vitaly Milonov was elected to the State Duma of the Russian Federation, representing the Saint Petersburg South for the United Russia party. In this national role, he has continued to be a vocal proponent of conservative policies and has remained involved in various policy-making discussions within the federal government.
2. Views and Ideology
Vitaly Milonov is known for his deeply conservative and often controversial views, particularly on social issues, immigration, and foreign policy.
2.1. Social Issues
Milonov holds strong and unyielding positions on various social matters, consistently advocating for traditional values.
2.1.1. LGBT Rights
Milonov is a fervent opponent of LGBT rights. In 2013, he controversially stated that gay athletes participating in the 2014 Winter Olympics could face arrest if they were found to be promoting homosexuality to minors, asserting that once a law is approved by the federal legislature and signed by the president, the government has no right to suspend it. In November 2013, he actively protested against the Side by Side LGBT film festival. In October 2014, he made highly inflammatory remarks regarding Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook's homosexuality, stating on the FlashNord website: "What could he bring us? The Ebola virus, AIDS, gonorrhea? They all have unseemly ties over there." Milonov's views were also featured in the 2014 documentary film Campaign of Hate: Russia and Gay Propaganda. In the BBC documentary Reggie Yates' Extreme, Russia - Gay and Under Attack, when questioned about the potential danger of homosexuals, Milonov responded: "A piece of shit is not dangerous, but it's quite unpleasant to see on the streets. Homosexuality is disgusting. Homophobia is beautiful and natural."
2.1.2. Abortion and Family Values
Milonov is a radical opponent of abortion. In 2012, he initiated a proposal to grant human fetuses civil rights, a bill that was swiftly rejected. Furthermore, Milonov has proposed to the Russian Duma that cinema films which glorify "single happy men" should be banned, arguing that such films pose a threat to traditional family values. Instead, he advocates for the portrayal of fathers with many children as positive heroes in media.
2.2. Immigration and Foreign Policy
Milonov has also voiced strong opinions on immigration and adopted clear diplomatic stances on international issues.
He has proposed increasing income tax to 30% for enterprises and organizations that employ at least 30% migrant workers, and he has sought to introduce a draft resolution on these amendments to the Tax Code of Russia in the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg.
In foreign policy, Milonov has consistently supported Armenia in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, as well as the Assad regime in Syria and Greece in the Cyprus conflict. He maintains a strong anti-Turkish stance, having declared that Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) would be "liberated again" and calling for sanctions against Turkey.
3. Controversies and Criticisms
Vitaly Milonov's public career has been marked by numerous controversies stemming from his statements and actions, drawing widespread criticism both domestically and internationally.
3.1. Antisemitism Controversy
On 19 March 2014, Milonov reportedly made highly controversial antisemitic statements to the Saint Petersburg Legislative Council. According to reports, he stated that Jews "vilify any saint, it is in their tradition of 2,000 years, beginning with the appeals to crucify the Saviour, ending with accusations of anti-Semitism against St. John of Kronstadt." Addressing allegations that St. John of Kronstadt, a 19th-century religious leader, supported the Black Hundred, Milonov contended that this accusation was based on "complete lies, a modern neo-liberal fable with a sulfuric, deep history of Satanism."
3.2. Other Controversial Statements and Actions
Milonov has been involved in several other public controversies. He was once recognized as an extremist after circulating a picture of himself holding a gun and wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan "Orthodoxy or death!", a motto associated with ultranationalist and fundamentalist groups. Despite the designation, he refused to pay a fine for the offense and remained unpunished due to his parliamentary immunity.
In March 2018, Milonov publicly denounced the British Government's assertion that the Russian Government was "highly likely" responsible for the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal. He compared the then-British Prime Minister Theresa May to Adolf Hitler and accused Britain of being responsible for the attack, claiming they were pushing a "fantasy" by blaming Russia.
On 24 February 2022, at the onset of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Milonov gave an expletive-laced interview to BBC News radio. In the interview, he claimed that the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States had provoked the invasion. He further asserted that Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's president, lacked public support and that Russia possessed valid rights to maintain Ukraine under its influence. Following the 2022 Russian mobilization in September 2022, Milonov himself was mobilized and deployed to the front lines in Donbas with the rank of junior sergeant, serving with an anti-tank artillery battery.
3.3. International Sanctions
As a consequence of his involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian War and his political role, Vitaly Milonov has been subjected to international sanctions. Canada sanctioned him under its Special Economic Measures Act (S.C. 1992, c. 17) for what it deemed a "Grave Breach of International Peace and Security" in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The United Kingdom government also imposed sanctions on him in 2022 due to his connection to the conflict.
4. Personal Life
Vitaly Milonov's personal life includes his family and religious journey. He was married to Eva Liburkina from 2008 to 2011, and they are now divorced. Together, they raised three children: a daughter named Marfa, a son named Nikolay, and a foster-son. Milonov's religious path began in 1991 when he joined the Baptist church. Later, in 1998, he converted to the Russian Orthodox Church, which aligns with many of his conservative political views. Beyond his political and religious life, Milonov is known to enjoy board games and frequently plays the video game Hearthstone developed by Blizzard Entertainment.
5. Legacy and Assessment
Vitaly Milonov's political career and public activities have significantly impacted Russian society and policy, solidifying his image as a polarizing and controversial figure.
5.1. Impact and Public Perception
Milonov's legislative initiatives, particularly the "homosexual propaganda" law, have had a tangible impact on the legal framework and social climate regarding LGBT rights in Russia, contributing to increased discrimination and suppression of LGBT expression. His radical opposition to abortion and his advocacy for traditional family values, including his proposals to ban films glorifying single men, reflect his consistent efforts to shape Russian society according to a conservative ideological framework.
His public perception is largely that of an outspoken, uncompromising, and often extreme conservative voice. His controversial statements, including those deemed antisemitic, his denunciations of foreign governments, and his aggressive rhetoric concerning international conflicts, have frequently drawn condemnation from human rights organizations, international bodies, and liberal media outlets. The imposition of international sanctions by countries like Canada and the United Kingdom further underscores the perception of Milonov as a figure whose actions align with policies and events viewed as detrimental to international peace and human rights. Despite the criticisms, he retains support from segments of the Russian population who share his conservative and nationalist sentiments. His recent mobilization to the front lines in Donbas further illustrates his commitment to the Russian government's actions, reinforcing his image as a hardline loyalist.