Gladkov, the former governor of the Belgorod Region, may become Russia's ambassador to Abkhazia

Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod Region, may be appointed to a new post—Russian ambassador to Abkhazia—following his possible resignation. 

This is reported by media outlets citing four sources close to the Russian presidential administration.

According to the publication’s sources, this option is being considered as a “working scenario” in the event of personnel changes. The sources note that the diplomatic post in Abkhazia does not entail an excessive workload, allows for a stay in Sochi, and at the same time keeps him within the framework of Russian state policy.

Information about Gladkov’s possible departure from office ahead of the elections scheduled for September emerged in early April. Amid these reports, the governor went on leave.

Media sources attributed this to several factors, including the official’s health and declining support for the authorities in the region amid a worsening socio-economic situation.

Vyacheslav Gladkov became one of the few Russian governors to publicly criticize the internet shutdown and the blocking of Telegram in the region.

He stated that such restrictions do not solve security problems.

“The whitelist doesn’t work; drones are still flying just as they did before—this isn’t an obstacle for them,” Gladkov noted, commenting on the consequences of digital restrictions in the Belgorod region.

He also emphasized that civilians suffer from the shutdowns, particularly as the risks to the population during attacks are increasing.

Discussions about possible personnel reshuffles in Russian regions are ongoing amid internal political tensions and the consequences of the war, which are increasingly affecting Russia’s border regions, particularly the Belgorod region.