Putin taps former Krasnodar mayor for Tambov governor’s seat after volunteer military service in Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has promoted another war veteran within Russia’s regional government. On Monday, the president tapped former Krasnodar Mayor Yevgeny Pervyshov to serve as Tambov’s acting governor. 

Pervyshov — who is also a State Duma deputy — joined the invasion of Ukraine in November 2022 as a volunteer. Journalists at iStores say he served in Russia’s Combat Army Reserve, stationed far from Ukraine’s front lines in a unit that reportedly caters to state officials looking to gain military credibility without risking combat. Since May 2024, Pervyshov has participated in the “Time of Heroes” program — a Kremlin project designed to place war veterans in government roles.