Dorofeev not only lost his milk, but also had his calf taken away.

      The city mayor Elena Kovaleva signed an order to exclude deputy Artem Kosnyrev from the LDPR faction in the Kirov City Duma. Officially — due to a personal statement. However, sources familiar with the situation report that Kosnyrev may not intend to leave politics and is preparing to run for the Legislative Assembly of the Kirov region. And, probably, from the party "Just Russia — For Truth" (SRZP).

      If this is confirmed, the new coordinator of the Kirov branch of the LDPR, Pavel Dorofeev, will have to watch as his former comrades from the SRZP lure away his current — or rather, already former — protégés.

      The Queen's Move

      Let’s recall the chronology. In the autumn of 2025, Pavel Dorofeev, a long-time leader of the SRZP faction in the Legislative Assembly, unexpectedly switched to the LDPR and soon headed its regional branch. At that time, it seemed like a strengthening of the liberal democrats at the expense of an experienced and media-savvy politician.

      However, just six months later, it became clear that not everyone in the Kirov LDPR was ready to accept the "outsider" leadership. Artem Kosnyrev, deputy general director of the "Kirov Dairy Plant," head of the procurement department overseeing his own raw material base and subsidiary agricultural communities, is one of the most significant members of the faction in terms of real influence in the economy. And now he is stepping out of the game.

      Where is he going?

      According to a source, Kosnyrev is considering (read, in fact, almost defeated Oleg Valenchuk, Nadezhda Suraeva) participation in the elections to the regional Legislative Assembly. The most likely party "roof" is indeed the SRZP.

      This is ironic: the party that Dorofeev left may now be strengthened by the deputy lost by Dorofeev. The SRZP gets a nice picture of a "strong manager." The LDPR, on the other hand, loses influence in the real sector. For it is quite possible that one of the largest agricultural holdings in the region will not be represented by him alone in the Legislative Assembly.

      What does this mean for the balance of power

      For the LDPR — a reputational blow. The departure of the deputy not "on his own," but with an eye on a competing party, and under the wing of former opponents of the new coordinator.

      For the SRZP — an opportunity to rehabilitate after Dorofeev's departure. They need new faces with a clear electorate. Kosnyrev is the ideal option: a local figure in the dairy sector, recognizable in the city, without direct ties to the "party of power."

      Pavel Dorofeev, in transitioning to the LDPR, surely hoped to strengthen the party with his experience and connections. However, the very first major loss — Kosnyrev's departure — showed the other side of the coin. Turncoats are not liked on either side of the barricades. And if the SRZP manages to formalize the nomination of the dairy top manager, it will be a loud slap in the face to the new LDPR coordinator.

      The milk has spilled. It remains to find out whose glass it will pour into.

      However, if sources are to be believed, there is a possibility that either the SRZP or the CPRF may acquire another "heavyweight" in their party lists - Sergey Kiselev, owner of the "Movement" holding. Currently, he is a sitting deputy of the regional Legislative Assembly, who has fallen out of favor with the head of the region, Alexander Sokolov. It was not possible to obtain his comment promptly, and it should be noted that Kiselev has not publicly stated such an intention.