President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed Decree No. 872/2026 dated September 4, 2026, temporarily assigning the duties of head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration to Mykhailo Oleksandrovych Semikin. According to the text of the document, the personnel changes in the region's leadership take effect from the day of its publication. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the official decree of the head of state.
Who Has Taken the Lead in Zaporizhzhia Oblast
The text of the decree explicitly states: “Temporarily assign the duties of head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration to Mykhailo Oleksandrovych Semikin.” Thus, Semikin becomes the acting head of the region. Details about his previous position and professional background are not disclosed in open sources at the time of the decree's publication, leaving room for questions about why this particular candidate was chosen to temporarily manage the oblast during such a sensitive period.
Context: Ivan Fedorov's Move to the Capital
Semikin's appointment is logically linked to the departure from the post of the incumbent head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, Ivan Fedorov. According to media reports, Zelensky previously offered Fedorov a new position — heading the Recovery Agency. The official himself reportedly described such an offer from the head of state as “extremely complex.” This indicates that the change in the oblast's leadership is part of a broader personnel rotation rather than an isolated decision.
Link to Personnel Decisions in Law Enforcement Agencies
The personnel changes in Zaporizhzhia Oblast are taking place against the backdrop of other high-profile decisions by the president. The day before, Zelensky announced the dismissal of deputy heads in the Security Service of Ukraine and the Main Directorate of Intelligence. According to reports, this decision was made in the context of investigations into incidents involving a shootout among law enforcement officers in Kyiv. The combination of these steps points to a large-scale purge in the leadership ranks of both regional executive authorities and law enforcement agencies.
Significance of the Interim Appointment
The interim nature of Semikin's appointment means that the final decision on the permanent head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration may be made later. For a region in a complex military-political situation, the stability of governance during the transition period becomes a key factor. Observers will need to watch whether Semikin remains in the post or whether the position will be filled by another candidate after the current personnel processes are completed.
