A Krasnoyarsk official has ignited a major scandal by suggesting that remote workers affected by a four-day mobile internet outage should consider joining the «Special Military Operation» (SVO), leading to widespread condemnation and calls for her dismissal.
For four consecutive days, mobile internet services have been disrupted in Krasnoyarsk. After an initial period of silence, Governor Mikhail Kotyukov eventually addressed the issue, stating that these restrictions were implemented as a security measure to ensure the safety of citizens.
However, the situation quickly escalated into a public outcry when local residents, many of whom rely on internet access for their work, began asking what they should do given the service limitations. Ekaterina Kuzminykh, head of the local Regional Management Center, responded with a highly controversial remark: «Everyone will find work in the SVO.» She later issued an apology on her personal social media.
This statement, implying a dismissive attitude towards the citizens` legitimate concerns, swiftly transformed what might have been a minor inconvenience into a significant public scandal. Kuzminykh`s further assertion that their worries were «excessive» only intensified the outrage.
The backlash was immediate and widespread. Even Ekaterina Mizulina, head of the Safe Internet League, publicly condemned the official`s comments. «Regional Management Centers (CRCs) are specifically created to monitor online discussions and provide prompt responses to citizens` inquiries. Clearly, something went wrong here,» Mizulina wrote. «Like many other Russians, I was appalled by these comments. I believe this official should resign from her position.»
Adding to the criticism, regional parliamentarians had earlier expressed strong disapproval of the regional authorities` prolonged silence regarding the mobile communication restrictions. Governor Kotyukov`s clarifying statement appeared only three days after the outages began.
Alexey Boykov, a deputy of the Krasnoyarsk Krai Legislative Assembly, also shared his strong disapproval regarding the incident:
«I personally saw her comment in the governor`s chat this morning. As a resident of Krasnoyarsk Krai, and as someone with many friends and acquaintances currently in the SVO zone, where my assistants and comrades have already died, such a post deeply angers me. Officials should never overstep their boundaries or disrespect those who genuinely face internet problems. These are the people who pay taxes; they form the home front while our defenders are in the special military operation zone. It is unacceptable for officials, who receive substantial salaries from the budget, to suggest that those facing difficulties should go to work in the special military operation zone. Such comments cast a shadow over the entire executive branch.»
Although Ekaterina Kuzminykh has issued an apology on her personal social media accounts, observers noted that at the time of publication, she continued to engage in disputes with citizens in the comments section under the governor`s message, without offering an apology there.
