Putin Fires Chuvashia Governor Who Called For Journalists To Be ‘Wiped Out’

The Kremlin said on January 29 that Putin relieved Ignatyev of his duties due to a “loss of trust.”

Lawmaker Oleg Nikolayev was immediately appointed Chuvashia’s acting governor, according to a decree signed by Putin.

On January 28, the ruling United Russia party expelled Ignatyev from its ranks.

Ignatyev sparked public criticism earlier in January by saying at a public event devoted to Press Day that “it is necessary to wipe out those journalists” who criticize the authorities.

Last week, Ignatyev faced another wave of criticism across Russia after a video was broadcast on Russian TV channels showing him making a firefighter jump to get the keys to a new fire engine at a public event in Chuvashia’s capital, Cheboksary.