Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has named Vasily Anokhin as the acting governor of the Smolensk region. The presidential decree confirming this appointment was published, marking a formal transition in regional leadership. This move comes in the wake of Aleksey Ostrovsky stepping down from the post of governor earlier than the end of his term, citing his own request to terminate his powers ahead of schedule. The decree states plainly that Anokhin will serve in the role of acting governor until the person elected to the Smolensk governorship assumes office, ensuring continuity of regional administration during the transition period. The document becomes effective from the day it was signed, providing Anokhin with the authority and responsibility needed to oversee regional governance and public administration in Smolensk during this interim period.
Vasily Anokhin comes to the position after completing the fourth year of the Governors’ School program, an initiative established under the auspices of the Higher School of Public Administration in June 2017. His recent track record includes leadership as director of the regional development department within the Russian government, where he was involved in strategic planning, interregional coordination, and policy development aimed at fostering economic and social growth across districts. This background is often cited as relevant experience for managing a region’s transitional governance, coordinating with federal authorities, and maintaining the continuity of ongoing projects while local leadership is being determined.
The change in Smolensk’s top administration occurred amid a broader pattern of administrative reshuffles at the federal level, reflecting a process that aligns with standard procedures for ensuring stable governance when a regional leader departs before the end of their term. In a separate but related development, on March 15 the President of Russia announced the appointment of Vladislav Kuznetsov as deputy governor, a position in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, and noted his prior service as deputy governor in the Kurgan region from 2019 to 2021. This appointment illustrates the ongoing reshaping of regional management across the country, with senior officials taking on new responsibilities to support local administrations and regional development priorities.