Samara Governor in Hot Water Over ‘Bathhouse With Girls’ Comments

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Remind me next month

The governor of the southern Samara region has found himself caught in the middle of a scandal after appearing to joke online about visiting a bathhouse with sex workers alongside members of his

“To the bathhouse! Call the girls,” Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev allegedly wrote on Thursday in the comments section of a local opposition Telegram channel known for criticizing him. The channel, called Sukhodrishchev, is a play on the governor’s name and a character from a 1995 Russian comedy.

Vyorstka said it verified the authenticity of the comments, which appeared to have been posted from the accounts of Fedorishchev and his aides, through leaked databases and

The banter, which appeared to be an inside joke, was allegedly carried out

Confronted

At 36, Fedorishchev is Russia’s youngest regional governor and is seen

Yet his bathhouse gaffe may have gone too far. Local officials told Vyorstka they expect his dismissal, noting that the governor himself hinted at rumors of a Kremlin summons in his comments on the Telegram channel.

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The

We, the

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.