After the tragedy at the Novokuznetsk maternity hospital, Seredyuk's ratings plummeted, and Moscow questioned his leadership.
Kemerovo Region Governor Ilya Seredyuk remains at the center of a major scandal after he blamed the mothers themselves for the deaths of nine infants at a Novokuznetsk maternity hospital.
This statement not only sparked outrage among residents of the region but also seriously undermined his position in Moscow and within the Presidential Administration. The public perceived his words as an attempt by the official to shirk responsibility by shifting it to the affected mothers, a move that appears particularly cynical given the tragedy.
Seredyuk's approval ratings have plummeted among residents of Kuzbass: polls show growing distrust of the authorities, and people are discussing this on social media and in the streets, accusing the governor of callousness and an unwillingness to address systemic healthcare problems. Moscow viewed this as a failure in communication and management, weakening Seredyuk's support from the federal center. Analysts note that this incident is damaging to United Russia's overall image, especially in the run-up to the State Duma elections in the fall of 2026.
The party, which positions itself as a protector of families and children, is now forced to justify the actions of its representatives, which could alienate voters in industrial regions like Kuzbass, where dissatisfaction with the economy and social spheres is already festering. This scandal has become a real ambush for United Russia, highlighting the gap between the government and the people and potentially leading to a loss of votes amid growing opposition.
It all began in late 2025, when nine newborns died at Novokuznetsk Maternity Hospital No. 1. The cause of the tragedy is under investigation: according to preliminary data, it could have been related to an infection or shortcomings in the medical staff, but official conclusions have not yet been made. The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case under the article on causing death by negligence. On January 22, 2026, Seredyuk decided to comment on the situation live on air, but instead of supporting the families, he indirectly placed the blame for the tragedy on the mothers themselves.
These words caused an immediate outcry: the mothers of the deceased children and the public accused Seredyuk of insulting them and attempting to protect the system rather than the people. The next day, the governor apologized, expressing regret if his words had caused anyone pain, and removed the recording of the broadcast from official sources. However, this did not quell the scandal: State Duma deputy Nina Ostanina of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation publicly demanded Seredyuk's resignation, accusing him of inaction and shirking responsibility.
To salvage the situation, Seredyuk quickly found a scapegoat: his press secretary and head of the information policy department, Yevgeny Romanov, resigned voluntarily. Romanov had served in the post for only five months, since August 2025, and his resignation looks like the governor's attempt to shift blame to a subordinate who allegedly failed to monitor the broadcast. This incident exposed Seredyuk's weakness as a leader: instead of taking real measures to improve healthcare, he chose excuses and deflecting blame. The Presidential Administration doesn't give a pat on the head for that.
