"Veteran" (1993) by Alexander Kutayev is a powerful reflection on the forgotten soldiers who served their country. This painting uses deep red tones and shows a wooden fence of the same color, symbolizing both visible and invisible barriers. Beyond the fence lies darkness, a metaphor for the forgotten and overlooked lives of many veterans after their service to society. They are simply forgotten by society. 

       In the foreground, there is a faceless figure representing the depersonalization of soldiers who, after their service ends, become mere numbers or forgotten beings. The figure wears an ill-fitting, tattered red jacket, which enhances the emotional weight of the painting, with a real "veteran's medal" attached to it. This badge, usually given to honor soldiers, here serves as a poignant contrast to the anonymity and neglect many veterans face. 

        On the figure's head sits a green dragonfly, a symbol of change and the ability to adapt to different environments. But in this context, it also suggests the fleeting nature of recognition—visible but easy to overlook. This element adds a layer of complexity to the painting, highlighting the contrast between the supposed honor conveyed by the badge and the actual disposability with which these individuals are treated. 

        Kutayev's "Veteran" critically comments on how state apparatuses consume individual identities, reducing lifelong sacrifices to mere tokens of recognition that do not compensate for the loss and emptiness many veterans often face. It is a compelling visual appeal for remembrance and respect for those who have served, urging us to look beyond the surface and remember the personal stories and sacrifices hidden behind the veteran badges.