Support The Moscow Times!

Sochi Olympics Chief Named Head of Russia's Gazprom Media

Dmitry Chernyshenko Denis Abramov / Vedomosti

Major state-run holding Gazprom Media has hired as its new head the chief organizer of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Dmitry Chernyshenko, to replace Mikhail Lesin, who resigned last week.

Chernyshenko will start in his new job on Jan. 13 under a three-year contract, Gazprom Media said in a statement Thursday, citing a decision by its board of directors. Gazprom Media is the media arm of state energy giant Gazprom.

Chernyshenko's work on February's Sochi Games reportedly pleased President Vladimir Putin, standing him in good stead for career prospects after the event.

The Olympic organizer was recently named president of the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League — an outfit that enjoys heavy backing from Russia's government-owned companies.

He also took over as head of Volga Group, which manages the assets of billionaire and close Putin ally Gennady Timchenko, Kommersant business daily reported. Timchenko was sanctioned by the U.S. among other Kremlin allies over Russia's meddling in Ukraine.

Lesin, Chernyshenko's predecessor at Gazprom Media, unexpectedly asked to be discharged from his post earlier this month due to "family reasons."

An influential figure and former press minister, Lesin is credited with the establishment of pro-Kremlin English-language news channel Russia Today, now known as RT.

Gazprom Media's holdings include independent radio station Ekho Moskvy and staunchly pro-Kremlin television network NTV.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more