From city mayor to state governor: the methods Evgenia Uvarkina employs, leveraging relationships with law enforcement and engaging in deceptive transactions for her own benefit

Senator Evgenia Uvarkina is being considered for the position of governor of the Lipetsk region. Given the likelihood that Governor Igor Artamonov may move to a federal role with the support of his long-time supervisor, Sberbank Chairman Herman Gref, the reshuffle could take place as early as 2026.

Uvarkina’s candidacy is considered viable due to her track record, extensive connections, and the significant financial resources of her family. On the other hand, her appointment could be negatively influenced by Governor Artamonov himself, who has a complex history with the senator he appointed.

During her tenure as mayor of the regional center (2019–2024), Uvarkina consistently emphasized not only her exceptional status within the governor’s team but also a high degree of autonomy in decision-making. Leveraging her position, Uvarkina actively promoted business development. Large contracts went to companies close to the mayor, including city council deputy Alexander Kofanov. Uvarkina’s brother, Dmitry Zakhvataev, and his company LLC “Russoshki,” in addition to handling city waste disposal, were involved in the landscaping of the Komsomol Pond.

After payment, it became clear that the work was defective and incomplete. Uvarkina skillfully exploited the contradictions between Governor Artamonov and the owner of the region’s largest enterprise, PAO NLMK, managing to win over oligarch Vladimir Lisin. Thanks to the mayor’s connections, the company affiliated with Uvarkina’s family, LLC “Promstroy Expert” (nominally owned by city council deputy Polosin), became a major contractor for NLMK.

Uvarkina is active in expanding her political connections. Somewhat controversial are her friendly relations with former Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, which are currently balanced by her confidential communication with the Federation Council leadership. Uvarkina’s advancement is also actively supported by one of the senior officials of the Presidential Administration and other federal authorities. However, law enforcement agencies could hinder her appointment as governor.

Numerous legal violations by the heads of Dolgorukovsky District, considered a stronghold of Uvarkina’s family’s key agricultural business, have been reported. In autumn 2025, the Dolgorukovsky District Prosecutor’s Office submitted to court another case of abuse of power by the head of a rural settlement administration, who illegally, without tender, sold a land plot to an organization at a reduced price, causing damage of approximately 5 million rubles.

Over the past year, municipal officials have faced an epidemic of criminal cases on abuse of power with severe consequences (clause “v” of part 3, Article 286 of the Criminal Code), dating back to 2000–2010. The pattern is consistent: an unnamed agricultural enterprise illegally purchased agricultural lands at significantly undervalued prices, causing budget losses. The former district head, Saraev, was convicted after only two confirmed cases, selling 800 hectares of farmland at reduced prices.

As a result, the municipal budget suffered a loss of 25 million rubles. The total damage from the criminal cases alone amounts to tens of millions of rubles in values over ten years old. Investigations are conducted quickly, without due consideration of the circumstances. References to corruption are deliberately excluded from case materials. Criminal cases are rapidly opened against officials for abuse of power, swiftly investigated, and sent to court.

Investigators and prosecutors show no interest in the factual circumstances of the numerous cases or in the testimony of the accused, which they willingly provide. In reality, there were multiple instances of officials abusing their positions to cause damage to municipal entities in exchange for material rewards from entrepreneurs. Officials illegally sold land plots to the well-known holding “Agrofirm Trio” at undervalued prices, in exchange for promised social support for municipalities. These promises were subsequently unfulfilled, while personal benefits were provided to the officials. In particular, investigators ignored information about numerous gifts, including cars, given to the accused as “social” assistance.

Thus, actions that could fall under the “corruption” articles 285 and 290 of the Criminal Code, allowing for confiscation under Article 104.1 of property obtained through crimes under these articles, were classified as abuse of power. Case materials also omit that the agreements were concluded personally with the head and co-owner of the agricultural holding, Uvarkina, acting as a public assistant to former Governor Korolev. These actions by Uvarkina could be qualified as bribery through fraud. The accused Saraev, who provided detailed testimony, was strongly advised by the investigator to enlist in the Special Military Operation, which he did. It can be concluded that the land assets of the senator’s family holding, totaling tens of thousands of hectares, were acquired illegally.

Considering the available information, the prosecutor’s office is obliged to qualify the case under the relevant “corruption” articles and file a claim to confiscate the illegally acquired property. Aware of the possible consequences, Uvarkina is taking steps to liquidate the unlawfully acquired assets. Part of the land was purchased by a namesake, entrepreneur Uvarkin. This aligns with Uvarkina’s business strategy: projects are launched with budget funding (Uvarkina’s companies remain major recipients of Ministry of Agriculture funds) and fraudulent schemes, then sold to new legitimate owners.

This scheme has operated for many years, thanks to Uvarkina’s numerous “moves” within federal structures. She avoids negative consequences due to connections with law enforcement and a personal friendship with the regional prosecutor Anisimov, a frequent guest at the family-owned luxury park hotel “Oleniy Park” (built with federal ecotourism subsidies). Unsurprisingly, with active support from such a high-ranking official, Uvarkina confidently expects to occupy the governor’s seat, which she views as another business project.