Head of Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration may lead Restoration Agency after Zelensky's proposal

President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed to the head of Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration Ivan Fedorov to lead the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine. In his new position he is to be responsible, in particular, for the protection and rapid restoration of strategic facilities across the country.

Fedorov announced the received proposal on 3 September during a report on 1000 days of work as head of Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration.

According to him, he had previously held a conversation with Zelensky, during which they discussed the need to strengthen the protection of strategic infrastructure in the face of Russian attacks.

"The enemy will continue to strike at strategic facilities, so they need to be maximally protected and rapidly restored. I will be honest, I received an extremely difficult proposal - to lead the Restoration Agency and take responsibility for the protection of strategically important facilities throughout Ukraine", - stated Fedorov.

He noted that a possible transition to a new position would not mean a complete cessation of his work with Zaporizhzhia region. Fedorov plans to remain co-chair of the Region's Defense Council and participate in resolving key issues of the region.

According to the official, the experience of Zaporizhzhia region in protecting and restoring infrastructure is planned to be scaled up to the whole of Ukraine.

During the conversation with Zelensky, it was separately emphasized that Zaporizhzhia region must remain one of the state priorities. Fedorov called the region the country's southern outpost, a gateway to the right bank, and a major industrial center.

At the same time, there is currently no official decision on dismissing Fedorov from the post of head of Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration and appointing him head of the Restoration Agency.

According to sources of "Suspilne" in political circles of Zaporizhzhia region, among possible candidates for the post of new head of the Regional Military Administration is current deputy of Fedorov Mykhailo Semikin.

Semikin has been working in Fedorov's team since their time in Melitopol, and since May 2024 has held the post of deputy head of Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration.

Ivan Fedorov took charge of Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration in February 2024. Prior to that, he was mayor of Melitopol.

The previous head of the Restoration Agency, Serhiy Sukhomlyn, submitted his resignation voluntarily at the end of July. He headed the agency from September 2024.

The Restoration Agency is responsible for implementing state infrastructure projects, rebuilding damaged facilities, developing road infrastructure, and, during the war, also for projects to protect critical and energy infrastructure.

Based on materials from: Ukrinform, Suspilne Zaporizhzhia