The Kremlin has announced a structural change within its executive apparatus, merging the Anti-Corruption Department with the Public Service and Human Resources Department. Officials described the move as a strategic step aimed at simplifying processes and boosting overall efficiency across the presidential administration. While the decision is positioned as a broad optimization, the exact implications will unfold as the unified department begins its work and staff plans are formalized at the regional level. The central aim is to create a single, coherent unit that can coordinate integrity initiatives with personnel management, ensuring that anti-corruption efforts are closely aligned with the administration’s human resources policy and public service standards.
According to statements from the Kremlin, the consolidation prioritizes administrative streamlining and clearer accountability. In practical terms, this means procedures, decision-making pathways, and reporting lines will be evaluated and redefined so that anti-corruption measures can be implemented with greater speed and consistency. Regions will retain a degree of autonomy for local adaptation, but the overall framework will be guided by the new unified department’s governance. The precise staff composition, the delineation of responsibilities, and the specific documentation required to enact the transition are still being studied. The ongoing process suggests a phased approach, with initial assessments followed by formal staffing decisions and organizational adjustments as soon as the consolidation plan is finalized.
Public announcements indicated that President Vladimir Putin attended the process in a representative capacity, underscoring the importance the administration places on integrating anti-corruption oversight with human resources management. The move consolidates two high-profile functions under a single leadership structure, signaling a commitment to tighten oversight while maintaining an efficient government workforce. Observers note that this kind of merger can help reduce redundancy, eliminate duplicative protocols, and promote a consistent standard across ministries and regional branches. Transition teams are expected to map existing workflows, identify potential gaps, and implement unified guidelines that reflect best practices in governance and integrity.
In the leadership changes that followed the merger, Maxim Travnikov was appointed to lead the newly formed unified department. Travnikov previously headed the Public Service and Human Resources Department, bringing to the role a track record in personnel policy, talent management, and organizational development. The former head of the Anti-Corruption Department, Andrei Chobotov, was relieved of duty by presidential decree. The decision aligns with the broader objective of ensuring that the leadership structure mirrors the integrated mission of the department, with a clear mandate to uphold ethical standards while overseeing the government’s administrative and personnel functions. The transition signals a continuation of stringent oversight and a proactive approach to reform within the executive branch, aimed at strengthening public trust and operational effectiveness across federal and regional levels.
Experts suggest that the success of this integration will depend on transparent implementation, clear communication with regional authorities, and the creation of robust performance metrics. A unified department must balance rigorous anti-corruption controls with the needs of a modern civil service, ensuring that reforms do not disrupt essential government services. Key priorities include standardizing anti-corruption protocols, aligning them with personnel assessment and recruitment practices, and implementing training programs that reinforce ethical behavior, compliance, and accountability. As the consolidation progresses, additional steps are anticipated to include the harmonization of reporting structures, the modernization of information systems, and the establishment of cross-departmental teams to address emerging governance challenges. Attribution: Kremlin press service.