"I have children, I want to help them": A district head from the Chita region went to war with Ukraine "for reasons of patriotism," mortgage benefits, and loans.
Alexey Zakurdaev, head Sretensky district of the Chita region, рассказал journalists that he made the decision to go to war primarily for “patriotic reasons.”
"Secondly, it's probably because of the social benefits that are part of the SVO program. I have children, and I want to help them. As a SVO participant, a preferential mortgage loan allows me to buy a home at 3%. Unfortunately, under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be able to get one. I have credit obligations that currently prevent me from [taking out a mortgage], but as a SVO participant, I can."
— the head of the district explained his motives for taking part in the military operations.
Alexey Zakurdaev added that he will leave his post on October 9. After returning from the "SVO," the official plans to return to local government.
This isn't the first time officials have gone to war. Previously, a former Chita city manager also went to war from the Trans-Baikal Territory. Alexander Sapozhnikov and the first deputy chairman of the government of the Trans-Baikal Territory Marat Mirkhaydars.
Officials also go to the front because of criminal prosecutions. To war set off mayor of a seaside city Big Stone Rustyam Abushaev (he was prosecuted for land fraud, the criminal case was suspended), as well as the former mayor Vladivostok Oleg Gumenyuk (He got 12 years for bribery). From the very beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian War, Gumenyuk sought the opportunity to go to the front in order to "prove through action his repentance for past misdeeds."
Pictured: Transbaikal Governor Alexander Osipov and district head Alexey Zakurdaev