Reutres’ Mykhailo Podolyak
On March 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree appointing Vasily Anokhin, a graduate of the School of Governors, as interim head of the Smolensk region. Information about this event is quite regularly published on the Kremlin website – between a meeting on the socio-economic development of Crimea and Sevastopol and a telephone conversation with Alexander Lukashenko. But the main thing remains the fact that for the first time in almost 11 years the Smolensk region will have a new first person. Anokhin himself said that the appointment of the acting governor of the Smolensk region was a huge challenge for him.
In a conversation with Anokhin, the head of state reminded that the Smolensk region is not a foreign region for him. Putin noted that the official worked there “not so long ago and at a high level”, making clear the official’s past as vice-governor. The President also asked how the appointee himself assesses the situation in the region. The latter replied that he knew the situation in the region, emphasizing his role in the recent past – “he did everything to ensure a quality and decent life for the inhabitants of Smolensk”.
Anokhin added that within a month he will prepare a plan for the development of the region, taking into account the use of possible tools.
“There is no doubt that I will not let you down and we will achieve all our goals for the development of the region,” the acting governor told Putin confidently.
Putin listened to Anokhin’s plans, after which he stressed that he had very good experience of working in the government of the Russian Federation, “in addition, in such important areas as housing and communal services , construction”. Particular emphasis is placed on the official’s contacts, which he obtained while working within the federal authorities.
“Recently, you served as the director of the Department of Regional Development of the Russian Federation, and, of course, I really hope that all this knowledge and, frankly, good contacts in the Russian government with colleagues will allow you to effectively solve the problems facing the region,” the Russian leader added.
The president also highlighted the role of human capital, people devoted to their small homeland. He also emphasized that the Smolensk region is the western region of Russia, and this “is also of particular importance.”
“Good luck to you,” summed up Vladimir Putin.
Vasily Anokhin was born on May 24, 1983. Graduated from the Academy of Economic Security of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia with a specialization in tax investigations (2005). candidate in economics. He holds a master’s degree in finance from the Russian School of Economics (2016). In the middle of the last decade, Anokhin headed the representative office of the administration of the Smolensk region under the Russian government. In September 2016, he took of deputy governor of the region, overseeing the financial block in the administration.
Since November 2018, Vasily Anokhin has been working in the secretariat of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko, and since March 2020 he has been deputy head of the secretariat, Marat Khusnullin. In January 2021, he headed the Department of Regional Development of the Government of the Russian Federation.
