The Yakutsk city administration has refused permission for a rally against the cancellation of direct mayoral elections.

The Yakutsk city administration has refused to authorise a rally in support of keeping direct mayoral elections in the city, which was planned for 14 June on Komsomolskaya Square in the city centre. This was reported by “7×7.”

“We were refused without being offered an alternative venue for the public event, and in response we sent a letter demanding an alternative be provided and that the law not be violated,” a source told the outlet.

The application to hold the rally was submitted by regional assembly deputies Vladimir Poskachin (United Russia), Aleksandr Ivanov (New People), head of the local Yabloko branch Anatoliy Nogovitsyn, and Vasily Popov, coordinator of Young Guard of United Russia in the Far Eastern District. Other organisers listed included United Russia member German Otov, Communist Party member Edgar Konstantinov, LDPR member Nyurgun Golderov, and SRZP representative Sakhayana Illarionova.

In December 2024, Yakutsk city council deputies introduced a bill to abolish direct mayoral elections. In February 2025, the city council voted in favour of abolishing the elections. A final decision is to be made by the deputies of the State Assembly of Sakha (Yakutia).

In November 2024, Yabloko in Yakutsk organised a rally against abolishing the elections. Local Yabloko branch head Anatoliy Nogovitsyn was fined 10,000 roubles (approx. US$110) for allegedly violating the rules for organising public events (part 1 of article 20.2 of the Code of Administrative Offences). According to law enforcement, protesters violated a mayoral ban on moving around the square where the rally was held.