Daghestan's Leader Resigns After Floods, Blackouts, and Years of Crisis
Sergei Melikov has stepped down as the head of Daghestan after nearly four years in office. His departure comes after a series of crises, including deadly floods and persistent power outages. Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted his resignation and thanked him for his service. Melikov first took over as acting head of Daghestan in October 2020. He was later elected by the regional parliament in 2021. His leadership, however, faced growing challenges in recent months.
In late March and early April, severe flooding struck the region, killing eight people and damaging hundreds of homes and properties. Tens of thousands of residents filed claims for compensation after the disaster. The floods followed years of unreliable utilities, including a major blackout in July 2025 when a substation fire left over 86,500 people without electricity.
Following Melikov’s resignation, lawmakers from the Duma and Daghestan’s Parliament proposed Fyodor Schhukin as his replacement. Putin reportedly approved the nomination, though Melikov’s next role remains undecided. The change in leadership follows a period of repeated emergencies in Daghestan. Schhukin now faces the task of addressing ongoing infrastructure issues and recovery efforts. Melikov’s future position has not yet been announced.
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