An ex-kickboxer preaching Orthodox traditions who has effectively banned abortion and declared war on alcohol: ultra-conservative governor Georgy Filimonov is the face of Vladimir Putin's rule in Russia's Vologda region.
14/09/2026
Vologda (Russia) (AFP) – Accused of authoritarianism and trampling women's rights, Filimonov will represent the ruling United Russia party in this month's tightly-controlled parliamentary elections.
Some 450 kilometres (280 miles) north-west of Moscow, the 46-year-old nationalistic regional leader has built up a reputation for his outspoken views and made national headlines.
In the historic city of Vologda, 31-year-old worker Artyom told AFP a joke was circulating in the neighbouring Yaroslavl region: "When people from Vologda come to us, it's for alcohol, petrol or to get an abortion."