On Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin appointed Vitaly Korolyov, a high-ranking antitrust official, as the acting governor of the Tver region, following a vacancy that had lasted over a month.

Korolyov, aged 45, takes over from Igor Rudenya, who had served for nine years before being appointed as Putin’s envoy to the Northwestern Federal District at the end of September.

During a late-night discussion with Putin, Korolyov outlined his key objectives, which include ensuring winter infrastructure is prepared, providing support for families of soldiers engaged in the conflict in Ukraine, and promoting the development of a high-speed highway that traverses the Tver region.

“My top priority will be enhancing the quality of life for citizens,” he conveyed to Putin.

Situated to the northwest of Moscow, the Tver region is recognized for its timber industry, metal production, and its strategic location between Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Putin described the Tver region as “the very heart of Russia,” emphasizing that it faces challenges requiring focused attention and solutions.

Korolyov, originally from the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, joined Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) in 2005 and became its deputy head in 2015.

He is set to act as governor until the upcoming gubernatorial election scheduled for September 2026.