‘A short burst of positive emotion’ Ahead of elections, the Kremlin has a plan to distract Russians from war and tax hikes: fire a few governors
Faced with growing public frustration over tax hikes and the ongoing war against Ukraine, the Kremlin has a plan: fire unpopular governors. The goal, insiders say, is to distract Russians and project an illusion of change ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections. Governors in Russia often serve as lightning rods for local anger — something the Putin administration hopes to exploit. Meduza special correspondent Andrey Pertsev spoke to Kremlin insiders to find out who’s at risk and why Moscow believes the shake-ups could help.
The Kremlin is considering replacing multiple unpopular regional governors ahead of Russia’s next State Duma elections, scheduled for September 2026, Meduza has learned from two sources close to Putin’s administration and a political strategist working with its domestic policy team.
Officials hope that reshuffling governors will help defuse public frustration over a string of unpopular decisions — including raising the value-added tax from 20 to 22 percent and tightening tax rules for small businesses. According to the strategist, officials also recognize that “Russians are tired of the war and waiting for negotiations.” The plan, the strategist said, is to use the dismissals to divert attention from these issues.
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Local officials “usually provoke more resentment than federal ones,” another source close to the Kremlin’s domestic policy team explained. “It’s dangerous to complain about the president. Many [Russians] don’t even know who the [federal] ministers are. But the governor is right there in front of them.”
A new law on local self-government has only reinforced that dynamic. Governors are now effectively responsible for everything that happens in their regions, the source said. “In most places, governors head [the local branch of the ruling party] United Russia and appoint mayors. Under the new law, the governor even nominates candidates for the heads of regional capitals. So if transport, utilities, or roads are a mess — the kinds of things that frustrate people every day — it’s the governor who gets blamed.”
The political strategist said that firing an unpopular governor often turns into “a real celebration” in the region. “Especially when it’s one of the outsiders [brought in from another area],” the strategist said. “There have been cases when, after a hated governor left, people actually gathered to set off fireworks. So the resignation always works in [the Kremlin’s] favor for a while.”
Governors are usually replaced in the spring or fall. The strategist told Meduza that doing so closer to election season tends to be “more effective,” since “people get a short burst of positive emotion.” Still, the shake-ups need to happen early enough for new governors and their teams to get a handle on things — and, crucially, to learn “how [administrative] resources work during elections in that specific location.” That understanding, the strategist said, is essential to delivering the results the Kremlin expects in the State Duma vote.
According to Kremlin insiders, the governors most at risk of dismissal include Georgy Filimonov in the Vologda region, Vyacheslav Fedorishchev in the Samara region, and Artur Parfyonchikov in the Republic of Karelia.
According to one source close to Putin’s administration, Vologda Governor Georgy Filimonov — who also heads the regional branch of United Russia — currently has an approval rating of just 25–30 percent. That figure was confirmed by a source in the Northwestern Federal District plenipotentiary envoy’s office, though such polling data hasn’t been published for years.
Filimonov’s unpopularity stems from a series of controversial decisions and public stunts. He imposed a partial ban on alcohol sales in the region, pushed to outlaw abortions, and openly supports far-right nationalist organizations. In December 2024, he even unveiled a monument to Joseph Stalin.
Filimonov has also clashed with the owners of Severstal, the region’s largest taxpayer. “People are fed up with it,” said the source from the plenipotentiary envoy’s office. “There are plenty of unpopular governors, but most at least keep a low profile. Filimonov constantly reminds people of himself — and his eccentricities. He’s been warned multiple times by both the Kremlin and the envoy’s office to tone it down. He quiets down for a bit, then goes right back to it. It’s clear that his dismissal would be welcomed in the region — that’s why it’s being discussed.”
The source added that Filimonov’s removal would also come as a relief to local officials frustrated by the constant turnover in the regional government. His removal, the source said, “looks likely.”
The Kremlin is also reportedly weighing the dismissal of Samara Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev. Like Filimonov, he’s been at odds with the local business community and has overseen frequent shake-ups in his administration — either firing subordinates or driving them to quit. He’s also developed a reputation for theatrics. In December 2024, Fedorishchev released a self-written rap track. In September, he invited pop star Egor Kreed to Samara to discuss the musician’s public feud with Ekaterina Mizulina, head of the Russian censorship lobbying group Safe Internet League.
In late September, the outlet Verstka reported, citing sources, that the Kremlin was preparing to remove Fedorishchev from office after he “spent time in a Moscow clinic undergoing rehabilitation for certain ‘mental health issues.’” One source claimed he had suffered a nervous breakdown, while another said he was “being treated for withdrawal from psychotropic substances and alcohol.” In late August, Fedorishchev dismissed the rumors about his drinking as “fake news.”
So far, Fedorishchev has managed to keep his position. Two sources told Meduza that he was ultimately spared thanks to the intervention of Vladimir Putin’s aide and former bodyguard, Alexey Dyumin. “Dyumin helped him out — plus [Fedorishchev] was given a final warning to keep a lower profile,” said one source close to the presidential administration. The two men worked together when Dyumin governed the Tula region, where Fedorishchev served under him.
If Fedorishchev resumes his erratic behavior and his approval ratings — and those of United Russia — fall sharply ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections, his removal could once again be on the table.
Another regional leader with low approval ratings who may be on the chopping block is Karelia’s governor, Artur Parfyonchikov. His administration has come under scrutiny after several members of the regional government were arrested on corruption charges.
Two Kremlin insiders told Meduza they expect this “review of the governor corps” to continue — and that there may soon be “new victims.”
In the regions where governors are reportedly set to be dismissed, local administrations did not respond to Meduza’s requests for comment.
Story by Andrey Pertsev