“The Feudal Lord Decides Everything”: A View from Plyos on Russia’s Local Governance Reform

Editor’s note (February 2026): EU Reporter has been contacted regarding claims that this interview is disputed by Mr Shevtsov. We are reviewing the matter and will update accordingly.”

As power in Russia becomes more centralized, we had a revealing exchange with a longtime reader who identified himself as Alexey Shevtsov — the former head of the local council in Plyos, a small but well-known tourist town in central Russia.

These days, Shevtsov runs a hotel and a few restaurants — but he’s also become an increasingly outspoken critic of Russia’s municipal reform, especially when it comes to what it means for small towns like his. What follows are highlights from our conversation.

You have sent letter criticizing legislative initiatives and acts passed in Russia since your time as mayor of Plyos. In your most recent letter, you criticize the system of municipal governance. How does that system differ from the traditional American model of local government?

I'm not entirely sure what you're referring to, as I'm not familiar with your system. But I can say this: the situation today is, arguably, significantly worse for Russia’s small towns. There was a time when we welcomed foreign guests at long tables—visitors who were willing to discover and open themselves to our hidden Russia. Today, the country is trying to return to some “natural” order, and slogans about traditional values are heard more and more frequently, though in a distorted, opportunistic form: if you don't share these official values, you're automatically labeled an enemy.

Just recently, in my own town of Plyos, power was seized by what I can only describe as barbarians—contrary to all laws and regulations. There is no strong hand; for the past seven years, one chairman has informally controlled everything, including financial matters. And this is not unique to us. I'm confident that if you look closely at any  small town, you’ll find the same story.

You've tried to speak out about the municipal reform. Do you believe it's unjust?

What we see in practice is a complete departure from the original intent. It's like trying to play a nursery tune on a Stradivarius violin. Simplifying governance, as is being done now, doesn't always benefit the people. Cities and villages are being dissolved as independent administrative units. It's hard to imagine such changes happening under our predecessors, who defended their boundaries with far greater consistency and responsibility. What we're witnessing today is feudalism.

By feudalism, do you mean a relationship between rulers and the ruled, like lords and serfs?

Precisely. A one-way vertical of power—typical for outdated regimes. Under this new approach, every next official answers only upwards and holds no responsibility to those below. At the regional level, everything is funneled through the governor, who reports to the president. The governor is not accountable to the people. Below him, there is no one to whom he owes any explanation.

So you're saying the governor is a feudal lord?

With full authority. Even if that feudal lord is hopelessly incompetent, he can remove small town mayors who displease him without any obligation to explain himself to the public. The people are entirely excluded from this power equation. So yes, the governor is a feudal lord—loyal to the tsar, free to ignore the concerns of common folk.

Can we then say that the Russian system is tightening once again and moving toward totalitarianism?

I would call it a totalitarian monarchy. This legislative reform has cast aside all local discussion. Decisions are no longer made in the village or the city—they’ve moved back to the lords’ castles, just like in the old days. Local governance has lost its relevance entirely. People have no one to turn to, no support to expect. The final say rests solely with the feudal lord and cannot be contested. If he likes you, your business thrives. If not—like in my case—you might spend years begging just to repaint a window in your own house. Sadly, this is the reality today.

Do you see your long-running Hidden Russia project as political platform to address the municipal reform shortcomings?

Hidden Russia strives to call out inequality in our country’s administrative vertical. We also unite people who oppose the so-called traditional values as means of suppressing alternative thinking. Believe me, we are far from being a minority.

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