Vladislav Loginov, the mayor of Krasnoyarsk, has been detained on suspicion of accepting a bribe of 180 million rubles, marking the first time a sitting mayor in the city’s history has faced such charges. Federal investigators have taken over the case, and Loginov will be transferred to Moscow.

The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation stated that Loginov allegedly received the bribe between 2018 and 2024 while serving as first deputy mayor and then mayor, from the CEO of “Promstroy”, Dekard Khanagyan, in exchange for municipal road repair contracts. The bribe included money and the construction of a bathhouse on Loginov’s property.

Khanagyan, whose company was a major city contractor, was previously arrested in connection with a “road cartel” case, where “Promstroy” received about a billion rubles through a subcontracting scheme involving the municipal UDIB and SATP.

Testimony from Khanagyan and former First Deputy Mayor Alexey Davydov reportedly implicated Loginov in the bribery scheme. Previously, allegations of illegal activities within the mayor’s office had surfaced, with some employees claiming they were coerced into participating under threat of dismissal.

Political analysts suggest the detention, orchestrated at the federal level, may lead to a temporary “paralysis of power” within the Krasnoyarsk administration. There is uncertainty regarding Loginov’s successor and potential disruptions to city services and ongoing projects. Despite this, some believe the city’s bureaucratic systems will adapt quickly, and city services will continue to function adequately.

Loginov’s management style was described as more traditional and less flamboyant compared to his predecessor. The regional government is expected to adopt a “wait and see” approach, allowing the investigation to proceed while they seek a replacement for Loginov.