Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees on the appointment of interim heads of the Republic of Mari El, Kirov, Ryazan, Saratov and Tomsk regions.

According to the document, Yuri Zaitsev was appointed Acting Head of the Republic of Mari El, Alexander Sokolov - Governor of the Kirov Region, Pavel Malkov - of the Ryazan Region, Roman Busargin - of the Saratov Region, Vladimir Mazur - of the Tomsk Region.

Earlier, five Russian governors announced plans to resign. 

So, the governor of the Republic of Mari El, Alexander Evstifeev, announced his intention to leave his post due to the expiration of his term of office.

He wrote about this in his Telegram channel.

“In connection with the expiration of the term of office of the head of the Republic of Mari El, I turned to the President of Russia with a request to accept my resignation,” the head of the region wrote.

Evstifeev expressed his gratitude to Vladimir Putin for the trust and concern for the republic and its inhabitants, and also thanked the inhabitants of the Mari Territory "for supporting all the initiatives carried out in the republic over the past five years."

“I believe that the further dynamic development of Mari El will continue and will contribute to the prosperity of our country,” said the head of the region.

Governor of the Saratov region Valery Radaev also announced his intentions to leave the post on Tuesday.

“I have made a decision on the early resignation of the governor.

I headed the Saratov region for ten years.

In connection with the approaching election campaign, I will not nominate my candidacy for another term for election as the head of the region.

I plan to focus on another area of ​​work, ”TASS quoted Radaev’s press service as saying.

The decision not to be nominated for the post of head of the region for the next term was also announced by the governor of the Ryazan region Nikolai Lyubimov.

In an address to the residents, he noted that the region had become "close and dear" to him, and during his tenure, "a lot has been done."

“I am grateful to my team for effective work, to every Ryazan citizen for help and constructive criticism.

I hope that in this difficult time I will be able to be useful to the country in a new position, ”said Lyubimov.

Also, the intention to leave the post on Tuesday announced the governors of the Kirov and Tomsk regions Igor Vasiliev and Sergei Zhvachkin. 

Vasiliev noted in his address that he intends to continue work at the federal level.

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“My request to work for the benefit of the development of the whole country was supported by Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.

I thank the team of the government of the Kirov region and the heads of municipalities for productive joint work!”

he wrote.

The head of the Kirov region stressed that the region has achieved good results, in particular, opening new kindergartens and schools and creating conditions for the development of additional education.

He also drew attention to innovations in the healthcare sector.

“We returned the ambulance and hemodialysis service to the hands of the state, restored the air ambulance service, thanks to which hundreds of thousands of lives were saved, changed the appearance of the hospital and polyclinic, thanks to which medical tourism began to develop in the region,” Vasiliev emphasized. 

In addition, the governor noted the progress in road construction and the development of the public sector.

“I will now support all these positive initiatives in the Kirov region at the federal level.

I wish the region further sustainable development and prosperity!”

he added.

In turn, Sergei Zhvachkin emphasized that on January 20 he turned 65 years old, and called himself "one of the oldest governors in the country", adding that young people should be given way. 

“March 17 was also an important milestone for me — this day marks the tenth anniversary of my governorship.

Back in 2012, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin asked me to head my native Tomsk region.

I complied with his request.

For me, this is very important," Zhvachkin stressed.

He also noted that the president supported his decision and thanked the head of state.

In addition, the governor noted the improvements that have taken place in the region, such as the opening of schools and kindergartens, medical, sports and cultural institutions, factories and agricultural production and other facilities. 

The head of the region thanked the residents of the region both for their support and understanding, and for criticism, and stressed that he intended to stay in Tomsk, where his family lives.