ASTRA: Russian lawmaker quits seat, accuses ruling party of "deception"

A local lawmaker in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk region has announced his resignation, accusing the ruling United Russia party of “deception,” according to the independent outlet ASTRA.

Dmitry Voroshilov, an MP of the Yeniseysky District Council who ran in last autumn’s election as a candidate backed by United Russia, said he had submitted a statement relinquishing his mandate.

In a post on VKontakte, Voroshilov claimed that although he ran with the party’s support, he never formally joined it and now believes he was misled.

“Although I ran as a candidate from United Russia, I never actually joined the party for certain reasons,” he wrote. “It turns out they deceive not only voters but also people they try to recruit and bring to their side from among ordinary citizens. I was deceived as well.”

Voroshilov said he initially entered politics with the aim of helping “talented and capable people” contribute to the development of the district.

The MP is a local activist and the owner of an auto parts store. According to the Telegram channel Krasnoyarsky Lev, he has also been involved in addressing local community issues such as waste management and water supply problems.

ASTRA reports that Voroshilov has also been assisting Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine. Together with a group of volunteers, he reportedly helped organize a workshop producing components for drones, grenades, explosive shells, and mines for the front line. He has been listed in the database of the Ukrainian website “Myrotvorets,” which accuses individuals of involvement in activities related to the Russian military effort.

Voroshilov said the “deception” by United Russia was linked to the party’s alleged treatment of Alexander Blokhin, a volunteer from his team who plans to run in a by-election to the Yeniseysky District Council.

According to Voroshilov, Blokhin is being unfairly discredited despite his volunteer work in the district.

“They are trying to drag Alexander Blokhin through the mud,” Voroshilov wrote. “He worked tirelessly for the district — clearing snow, dealing with waste issues, helping residents with everyday problems. He has done an enormous amount of work without being paid.”

Voroshilov further alleged that political power in the district is being “passed down like in tsarist times.”

On the morning of March 17, Voroshilov published a formal statement on VKontakte confirming the termination of his powers as an MP. He did not respond to requests for comment from ASTRA journalists.

By Khagan Isayev