Putin Meets with Belgorod Governor Amid Ongoing Ukraine Border Attacks

On July 11, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Vyacheslav Gladkov, the Governor of the Belgorod Region, to discuss the region’s socioeconomic development and measures to protect civilians amidst ongoing shelling from Ukraine. The meeting took place in Moscow at the Kremlin [Kremlin].

Belgorod Region Under Fire

Since late May 2023, the Belgorod Region has experienced intensive shelling from Ukrainian forces, with the city of Shebekino and surrounding residential areas bearing the brunt of the damage. These attacks have resulted in civilian casualties, including deaths and injuries [Kremlin].

Economic and Agricultural Overview

Governor Gladkov reported on the region’s socioeconomic progress, noting that over the past four years, the Belgorod Region has received 5.7 billion rubles from the federal budget to support industry and small to medium-sized businesses, with an additional 4 billion rubles allocated from the regional budget [Kremlin]. In the agricultural sector, the region received 16 billion rubles from the federal center and 3 billion rubles from the regional budget [Kremlin].

Currently, the Belgorod Region ranks third in the Central Federal District in terms of gross regional product per capita [Kremlin]. However, agricultural production has seen a slight decline.

Impact on Agricultural Land

Governor Gladkov explained the decline in agricultural production is due to the operational situation, which has resulted in 160,000 hectares of arable land being taken out of cultivation [Kremlin].

Vyacheslav Gladkov’s Background

Vyacheslav Vladimirovich Gladkov, born on January 15, 1969, has served as the Governor of Belgorod Oblast since September 27, 2021 [Wikipedia]. He is a member of the United Russia party [Wikipedia] and previously held positions as Chief of Staff of the Government of the Stavropol Krai and Deputy Governor of Sevastopol [Wikipedia].

Gladkov and Support for Russian Actions

Vyacheslav Gladkov has been accused of publicly supporting Russian military aggression against Ukraine [PUTIN’S LIST]. He is included in the “1500 warmongers” report compiled by the Free Russia Forum, which seeks sanctions against individuals supporting Putin’s aggression [PUTIN’S LIST].