possible reasons, how long he stayed in office: Politics: Russia: Lenta.ru

Governor bordering Ukraine Kursk region Alexey Smirnov left resign. This happened the day before, December 5th. According to available information, he made this decision of his own free will.

“He resigned himself,” reported Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov.

Moreover, in his address to the residents of the Kursk region, Smirnov statedthat the resignation is related to the transition to a new position. The former governor did not specify which one. However, some experts and Telegram channels believe that there may be other reasons for the resignation of the Kursk governor.

Acting Governor of the Kursk Region, President of Russia Vladimir Putin appointed a deputy State Duma Alexandra Khinshtein.

Possible reasons for the resignation of the governor of the Kursk region

During the period of Smirnov's leadership there was an attack Armed Forces of Ukraine (APU) to the Kursk region. According to some experts and Telegram channels, it was the events related to the invasion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces that could influence personnel changes in the administrative apparatus of the region.

So, Telegram channel Mash tied up resignation of Smirnov with thefts during the construction of protective structures and fortifications on the border with Ukraine. The authors of the post recalled that the capital construction department (UCD) of the region demanded 2 billion 112 million rubles from the local Development Corporation for late delivery of fortification buildings as part of the state defense order.

It is also reported that a criminal case may soon be opened for theft of state money on an especially large scale. At the same time, deputies of a former governor may fall under the article Alexey Dedov And Roman Denisovas well as director of the Development Corporation Vladimir Lukinwrites the publication.

Smirnov's predecessor, now Minister of Transport Roman Starovoitin turn, noted problems of the Kursk authorities in communication with local residents, aggravated against the backdrop of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ attack on the region. At the same time, Starovoit recalled, more than 160 measures were taken at the federal level to support the population of the border region.

“But there were problems with organizing communication to people about how these measures were being implemented. And the situation is not easy, of course. Apparently, in connection with this, a decision was made [о досрочном прекращении его полномочий]“, Starovoit suggested.

Political scientist Rostislav Turovsky believesthat Smirnov’s resignation is due to the fact that he failed to maintain control over public opinion in the region. He noted the dissatisfaction of internally displaced persons from border areas.

In addition, according to him, “Smirnov’s victory in the elections was not the most confident compared to his colleagues.”

Smirnov served as governor for 80 days

Alexey Smirnov entered to the post of governor of the Kursk region on September 16, 2024 after winning the elections for the head of the region, in which he received 65.28 percent of the votes. Prior to this, since May of the same year, Smirnov held the position of acting governor of the Kursk region. And before the appointment to the position of acting – the post of first deputy head of the region – chairman of the government of the Kursk region.

Thus, the governor of the Kursk region Smirnov stayed only 80 days. If we take into account the prefix “acting,” he headed the border region for 205 days. It is noted that this is one of the shortest gubernatorial terms in Russia.

It is not yet known how exactly the future political career of Alexei Smirnov will develop, and what position awaits him. So to the corresponding question from the journalist replied press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin Dmitry Peskov. At the same time, from the words of the Kremlin representative it follows that the decision to grant Smirnov a new position has already been made.