Belgorod region officials announced a significant personnel change with strategic implications for regional governance and security operations. In a formal statement, the governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed that Anton Shopin, the deputy minister overseeing housing and communal services in the Belgorod region, submitted his resignation on May 18 and was subsequently sent by the region to a special military operation zone in Ukraine. The governor noted that Shopin proceeded to undertake voluntary duty in what the administration described as a mission connected to national security requirements. Gladkov described Shopin as a model for public service across all levels of regional government, expressing gratitude for his leadership and commitment even as his departure creates a new vacancy at a critical juncture. The move underscores the ongoing integration of military and civilian roles in the region during heightened security measures. Shopin, aged 39, brings prior combat experience from previous engagements in Chechnya, and his background was highlighted as a relevant factor in his new assignment. In the NVO area, an officer is slated to assume command of a jet battery, with a transfer to the front scheduled for the start of next week. The development reflects Russia’s broad mobilization framework and the demands placed on regional administrations to support military operations in neighboring areas. [citation: Belgorod regional authorities; official statement]
