Press Release, 19.01.2026

Anna Cherepanova, Yabloko Deputy Chair and MP from Yabloko in the Veliky Novgorod City Duma, has made a statement in which she described in detail how the Novgorod Mayor, Alexander Rozbaum, and the Chairman of the Novgorod Duma, Konstantin Somov, are sabotaging Yabloko’s work. According to Cherepanova, she has to fulfil her duties as an MP and uphold the interests of residents under conditions of “total counteraction”. She provided several telling examples, supporting them with documentation: in each case described, the issue concerned the interests of Novgorod residents, the Novgorod budget, its infrastructure and wellbeing.

In her appeal to Novgorod residents, Anna Cherepanova writes about her desire “to be able to speak directly and openly about the situation” that has developed around the work of the leader of Novgorod Yabloko as a deputy in the Novgorod Duma:

“Unfortunately, I am forced to fulfil my mandate under conditions of systematic counteraction from Mayor Alexander Rozbaum and Duma Chairman Konstantin Somov. My attempts to introduce concrete proposals for improving the life of the city and its residents run into a wall of bureaucracy and, I am convinced, deliberate sabotage. These are not random errors; this is the construction of obstacles for a deputy from the Yabloko party. I shall continue to ensure that supervisory bodies finally intervene. I do not intend to remain silent. I shall inform you of every reaction from the public prosecutor’s office (or the absence thereof).”

Cherepanova’s social media posts provide explanations for the statement – they list examples of sabotage by officials, which are also supported by links to documents: responses from various authorities to complaints from the leader of Novgorod Yabloko.

It should be noted that Anna Cherepanova has for several months been drawing the attention of voters, journalists, lawyers, politicians and supervisory bodies to the illegal and unjustified salary increases for Novgorod officials. She is demanding the resignation of the Mayor, whose salary has doubled against the backdrop of a growing budget deficit and numerous unresolved city problems, and is also seeking to hold accountable those who have permitted the most serious violations of budgetary and anti-corruption legislation.