Putin Appoints New Governors for Sverdlovsk and Orenburg Regions

Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed new acting governors for the Sverdlovsk and Orenburg regions ahead of gubernatorial elections scheduled for later this year.

According to a Kremlin decree, Denis Pasler, the outgoing governor of Orenburg, will now serve as the governor of Sverdlovsk, replacing Yury Kuivashev. During a televised meeting, Putin stated that Pasler was being asked to return to his “native area” where he had previously worked.

Taking over as acting governor of Orenburg is Yevgeny Solntsev, who previously served as the prime minister of the pro-Moscow administration in occupied Donetsk and held the position of Russia’s deputy construction minister.

Both Pasler and Solntsev requested a transition period of “a couple of months” to prepare for their new roles, as reported in their respective meetings with Putin.

The appointments come as 20 Russian regions, including the annexed Crimean city of Sevastopol, prepare for direct or indirect gubernatorial elections in September.

While no official statement has been made regarding Kuivashev’s next role, reports suggest he may be reassigned to a federal government position later this year.

Pasler’s reappointment is viewed by analysts as a political promotion, despite past controversies, including public dissatisfaction over his handling of deadly floods in Orenburg and scrutiny over his son’s hockey career in the United States.