Sobchak promoted Sokolov on gasoline.

      Recently, Russian journalist, TV and radio host Ksenia Sobchak published a post on her channel "Bloody Lady" about how the car of the governor of the Kirov region, Alexander Sokolov, was spotted in a general queue at a gas station near the "Leps" factory on Oktyabrsky Avenue in Kirov. "The governor of the Kirov region postponed meetings due to the queue at the gas station," she wrote.

      Let us remind you that on July 8, the first meeting of the "fuel" operational headquarters under Sokolov's leadership took place. Among other things, he stated that officials would stand in line for gasoline just like ordinary residents of the region.

      Interestingly, the very next day, July 9, one of the Kirov media outlets published a video showing the governor's car waiting in line at the gas station. It was also noted that the footage was taken by a witness. However, upon closer inspection, doubts arise, as the witness's car initially drove very fast, then, upon seeing Sokolov's vehicle, abruptly slowed down, and the camera began to film in close-up. If this was indeed a witness, it turns out that the head of our region has such devoted fans who know what his car looks like, what its license plate number is, and who are willing to interrupt their trip to stop and film a video.

      However, we are left with the impression that this is a case of banal PR. It is possible that this is a "crisis" response from the "gray" house to the reputational risks that the regional authorities and personally Sokolov have faced due to the gasoline situation. Let us remind you that the authorities reported that there would be enough gasoline for two weeks and that the situation was under control. How things really look, you can see for yourself. Or read about it in one of our recent reports.

      There is also the question of why the governor, if he was indeed in a hurry to attend some meetings, preferred to stand in line at the gas station instead of using public transport. It gives the impression that those meetings were not that important to him.