Igor Kobzev began his report with the preparations for the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. He reminded the President that over 200,000 residents of the Irkutsk Region fought at the front, and more than half of them never returned home. A total of 138 individuals were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, including two-time Heroes Army General Afanasy Beloborodov, who defended Moscow in the Volokolamsk direction, and Nikolai Chelnokov. The Governor handed the President a letter from a 100-year-old veteran, who will participate in this year’s Victory Parade. Vladimir Putin asked the Governor to pass on his greetings in return.
Highlighting that this year is the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, the Governor reported that the region is home to four Heroes of the Russian Federation and 1,700 individuals who have been awarded the Order of Courage, as well as the For Military Merit and For Bravery medals. He also presented the President with a gift from the mother of Eduard Dyakonov, the youngest Hero of Russia, who died in 2022 in Mariupol, covering a grenade with his body, thus saving more than eight of his fellow soldiers. The gift is a sculpture of a special military operation fighter, crafted by Irkutsk artisans.
Igor Kobzev also discussed the rehabilitation centre providing social and medical support, plans for a new military hospital, and the Suvorov School, which will train personnel for the Aerospace Forces.
The conversation also covered the restoration of Tulun, the city affected by the 2019 flood, as well as efforts to address accumulated environmental damage at the former Usolye-Khimprom plant, where cleanup efforts have been ongoing since 2020, and the environmental restoration work related to the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill.
The President and the Governor also discussed topics such as the elimination of dilapidated housing, the construction of new housing, preparations for the wildfire season, and social issues, including healthcare and education.
Among the key challenges, the Governor mentioned energy shortages and the need to relocate the airport outside the city of Irkutsk. He also noted that there are numerous tasks related to medical and social infrastructure development.
When the President asked if Igor Kobzev was ready for the upcoming elections, the Governor responded that, with support from the population and the President, he was ready to continue serving in the region, which he considered his second home.
Vladimir Putin wished Igor Kobzev success and requested that he personally oversee issues related to supporting participants in the special military operation and their families.