Russian officials were given instructions on how to wish Putin a happy birthday

In Russia, officials received instructions to post birthday messages to Vladimir Putin on the occasion of his 74th birthday. Officials were encouraged to join the online campaign “CongratulationsToThePresident” by posting birthday wishes on their personal social media pages and adding a special hashtag. The rules for the campaign were published by Yevgeniya Khalilova, an official from the Vladimir region.

According to the published instructions, participants must post their birthday wishes specifically on their personal pages on the social network “VKontakte.” It is explicitly stated that posts published in public groups “will not be accepted.”

The post itself must contain birthday wishes for Putin. Thematic photos and videos may be added, and the use of the hashtag “ПоздравляюПрезидента” is mandatory.

Khalilova works as a consultant in the Department of Social Affairs, Youth Affairs, Physical Culture, and Sports of the Kolchugino District Administration in Vladimir Oblast. In 2025, she won the first round of the “Best Municipal Employee of Vladimir Oblast” competition.

Journalists from the publication “Agency” sent the official questions regarding the instructions. Khalilova read the message but did not respond.

A similar instruction was likely also published by the library in the village of Melnikovo in the Tomsk Region. The post was later deleted, but part of its text remained in search results. It stated that the region had been tasked with supporting a federal online flash mob.

In total, at least 1,100 posts with the campaign’s hashtag were published on VKontakte. It wasn’t just officials who participated in the celebrations. Kindergartens in various regions of Russia reported holding discussions about Putin’s “life journey,” and some institutions prepared video greetings.

Russian officials received similar instructions last year as well. At that time, they were made public by a “United Russia” deputy from Tuva.

This is reported by Russian propaganda media.

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