The governor of Russia’s northwestern Vologda region has called on billionaire Alexei Mordashov to “bury the hatchet” and cooperate for the region’s benefit, coming amid ongoing tensions over local investments.
Georgy Filimonov, a political outsider appointed by President Vladimir Putin in 2023, has clashed with Mordashov’s industrial conglomerate Severstal over alleged failures to meet investment commitments in Vologda’s wood processing industry.
The feud escalated last year when Filimonov publicly challenged Mordashov to a physical fight, prompting the businessman, one of Russia’s wealthiest with a net worth of $28.6 billion, to deny any personal conflict with the governor.
Filimonov has since stirred a series of political controversies, including proposals for a full abortion ban, sparking calls for his resignation from over 120 members of the ruling United Russia party. A Change.org petition demanding his removal has more than 30,000 signatures.
In an interview published Tuesday by the RBC news outlet, Filimonov insisted he was not feuding with anyone and said his focus remains on economic development.
“It’s time [for Severstal and Mordashov] to bury the hatchet and work for the benefit of the people of Vologda — not just for profit,” he said. “Alexei Mordashov and I shouldn’t be like Beavis and Butt-Head. Remember those two MTV characters, always blaming each other?”
However, the governor appeared to accuse Mordashov of lacking patriotism and opposing the Kremlin’s conservative ideological agenda.
“Before we arrived, this ideology [of patriotism and support for Russia’s war in Ukraine] was de facto banned,” Filimonov said, claiming Severstal’s leadership had a “quasi-liberal orientation” favoring “Western beneficiaries.”
“Even though the company is under sanctions, perhaps this is shaped by the personal worldview and attitudes of the company’s owner,” he added.
In March, Filimonov issued a decree barring migrants from working in the Vologda region’s construction sector for all of 2025. He later backtracked on the ban after Severstal warned that the decision would jeopardize its investments in the region.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
