Change in the Donetsk People’s Republic leadership
The government of the Donetsk People’s Republic has undergone a leadership shift. Head Denis Pushilin signed a decree that dismisses Prime Minister Alexander Ananchenko and his cabinet. The decree confirms that the old cabinet will continue to perform its duties until a new government is formed, and many ministers are expected to retain their seats.
Ananchenko has led the DPR government since October 2018. Pushilin expressed gratitude for his productive work as prime minister and invited him to contribute again to the development of the public sector in another capacity.
Pushilin announced the nomination of a new prime minister, Vitaly Khotsenko, to the People’s Council. Khotsenko has served since 2019 as the director of the regional industrial policy and project management department within the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Additionally, a candidacy for parliamentary leadership of the republic was approved at an extraordinary general meeting.
Strengthening integration efforts
The decree appointing Vitaly Khotsenko as head of the republican government has been signed and is now in effect. Pushilin explained that the change in leadership aims to reinforce integration processes within the republic. Some newspaper sources have suggested that Khotsenko’s appointment reflects concerns about the efficiency of the previous team.
An insider quoted by a major publication noted that proximity to the Russian governmental apparatus means that regional ministers are often chosen from departmental leadership. The insider added that moving the entire government to new leadership indicates gaps in staffing and resource allocation within the current system.
Two additional appointments followed. Yevgeny Solntsev, formerly the Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Public Services of Russia, became Deputy Head of the DPR Government. Alexander Kostomarov, previously First Deputy Governor of the Ulyanovsk Region, took the role of First Deputy Head of Administration for the Head of the DPR.
Profile of the new DPR prime minister
Vitaly Khotsenko was born in 1986 in Dnepropetrovsk. His academic background includes a sociology degree from Moscow State University, studies at the Singapore Marketing Institute in Business Administration, training at the Specialized Law Institute, and a master’s program at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. After military training, he earned an officer’s rank as a lieutenant.
Khotsenko also completed a program at a government leadership school. In 2019 he joined the ministry responsible for industry and trade, becoming a finalist in the Leaders of Russia competition that same year.
From 2008 to 2010 he led the analysis and forecasting department of a regional broadcasting and communications entity. Since 2010 he has served in regional authorities, including a period as Minister of Energy, Industry, and Communications for a Russian region. In confirmations from industry officials, Khotsenko has been described as someone who can bridge regional concerns with federal policy, especially in the industrial sector.
Officials highlighted that the appointment will enable Khotsenko to apply his professional experience and leadership skills to address the operations of the DPR’s industrial complex and its development goals. The focus is on ensuring effective governance, advancing regional industry, and aligning public services with the republic’s strategic priorities.
[Source: DPR News]