A veteran of the war in Ukraine, Nursultan Mussagaleyev, finished second in a United Russia primary for the party’s regional list in the Orenburg region. The independent Russian investigative outlet Agentstvo drew attention to the result.

A second-place finish does not guarantee Mussagaleyev a spot on the ballot for the lower house of Russia’s parliament. The party finalizes its electoral list at a congress, which may include candidates who did not take part in the primary.

Orenburg Governor Yevgeny Solntsev endorsed Mussagaleyev’s potential candidacy in late May, describing him as a man of “unbending character” who “has been through the crucible of harsh trials — combat — and therefore, more than anyone, knows what patriotism and love of country mean and is ready to make it better.”

Nursultan Mussagaleyev is a native of Russia’s Orenburg region and a participant in Russia’s war in Ukraine. For his role in the war, he was awarded the title of Hero of Russia. Ukrainian authorities have opened a criminal case against him on charges of violating the laws and customs of war. According to Ukraine’s Security Service, Mussagaleyev served as commander of a reconnaissance platoon in the 104th Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Air Assault Division. The agency has accused him of involvement in the torture and killing of civilians in the city of Bucha.

In February 2025, Mussagaleyev was appointed acting deputy minister of regional and information policy for the Orenburg region.