Claim
Sergei Bochkarev, head of the main civil litigation department at Russia's Prosecutor General's Office who led state seizures of Domodedovo Airport and other assets, was reinstated after being dismissed in late July, with reports indicating Putin personally intervened to restore him, though no public record of either the dismissal or reinstatement was made
Attributed to reports
Evidence
Multiple outlets confirm this claim closely matches reporting. Meduza and The Moscow Times (citing Fontanka) both report that Sergei Bochkarev, head of the main civil litigation department at Russia's Prosecutor General's Office and the official who led state seizures of Domodedovo Airport, Makfa, and YUGK, was dismissed by a July 27 decree signed by Putin, and was then quietly reinstated in August. Sourcing for the dismissal and reinstatement includes the Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, Rucriminal.info, and a Fontanka source; Kommersant separately reported the July dismissal, citing sources who said Prosecutor General Alexander Gutsan fired Bochkarev after criticism over mismanagement of confiscated assets. The Moscow Times/Fontanka report states Putin 'reportedly intervened directly to restore Bochkarev to his position,' issuing an order nullifying Gutsan's dismissal. Both Meduza and Moscow Times note that officials have not publicly commented and that no public record (decree) of either the dismissal or reinstatement appears on official government channels, matching the claim precisely.
Assessment
Two independent, reputable outlets (Meduza and The Moscow Times, the latter citing Fontanka) corroborate every specific element of the claim — Bochkarev's identity, role, dismissal date, reinstatement, Putin's reported personal intervention, and the lack of any public record — making this well-supported by real reporting rather than a single unverified rumor.
Confidence
Independent, reputable sources corroborate (or refute) this claim directly.
Timeline
Aug 21, 2026, 4:54 AM UTC
LikelyInitial assessment.
Sep 7, 2026, 9:33 AM UTC
ConfirmedTwo independent, reputable outlets (Meduza and The Moscow Times, the latter citing Fontanka) corroborate every specific element of the claim — Bochkarev's identity, role, dismissal date, reinstatement, Putin's reported personal intervention, and the lack of any public record — making this well-supported by real reporting rather than a single unverified rumor.
First observed Aug 21, 2026, 4:54 AM UTC · Last reviewed Sep 7, 2026, 9:33 AM UTC