Alexander Nikolayevich Tkachyov

Who is Alexander Nikolayevich Tkachyov?

Alexander Nikolayevich Tkachyov is the governor of Krasnodar Krai in the southern European part of Russia.

He was elected to Krasnodar Krai's legislative assembly in 1994. Subsequently, he was elected to the State Duma of Russia in 1995 and re-elected in 1999. He was elected governor of Krasnodar Krai on December 3, 2000 and was re-elected on March 14, 2004. Preceded by Nikolay Kondratenko. He is a graduate of the Krasnodar Polytechnic Institute.

Tkachyov has been an advocate for building a dam across the Kerch Strait, between Krasnodar Krai and Ukraine. Tkachyov is also known for his strong stand against illegal immigration in Russia. Some commentators interpret his remarks as racist, particularly against the Meskhetians.

On August 2, 2012 Tkachyov announced plans to deploy a paramilitary force of Cossacks in Krasnodar Krai beginning September, 2012 as vigilantes to discourage internal immigration by Muslim Russians. In a speech to police he stated, "“What you can’t do, the Cossacks can. We have no other way — we shall stamp it out, instill order; we shall demand paperwork and enforce migration policies.”