Friday, September 19th, will be remembered by Tatarstan residents for the election of Rustam Minnikhanov, the victory of Ak Bars, and problematic taxi localization. More details are in the material.

Minnikhanov is the Head

In Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov has assumed the position of head of the republic. He has led the region since 2010, and this is his fourth consecutive term. In the latest elections, Minnikhanov received 88.09% of the votes. Members of the Russian government, ambassadors from friendly countries, Heroes of Russia, and some regional heads attended his inauguration.

Following this, the State Council of Tatarstan approved the candidacy of Timur Nagumanov for the position of senator of the Federation Council from the republic. In addition, the old-new members of the government were approved. Thus, Alexey Pesoshin remains the Prime Minister of Tatarstan. All deputies of the State Council supported his candidacy.

After that, Pesoshin himself presented his deputies. Rustam Nigmatullin once again became the First Deputy of the republic. Also, Shamil Gafarov, Leyla Fazleeva, Vasil Shakhraziev, Roman Shaykhutdinov, Oleg Korobchenko, Marat Zyabbarov, Ravilya Akhmetshina, and Midhat Shagiakhmetov were again appointed as Deputy Prime Ministers.

Victorious Ak Bars

Kazan’s Ak Bars has finally secured its first home victory in the new season of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Before this, in three home games, the Kazan team lost with a total score of 7:14. Moreover, during two of the games, Ak Bars was losing 1:6 and 0:5 respectively. And then came the match against Ufa’s Salavat Yulaev in the « Green Derby. »

Before the game, both opponents were at the bottom of the KHL Eastern Conference standings, each with 3 points. The first goal was scored only in the second period. Forward Ilya Safonov scored the first goal for the Kazan team. The Kazan team managed to increase their advantage just 5 minutes later. The puck was scored by Ak Bars’ top scorer, Kirill Semenov.

In the third period, the Kazan team decided to finish off the opponent and pull away. The team’s third goal was scored by forward Dmitry Katelevsky. It is worth noting that the final 20-minute period passed almost without interruptions. With 45 seconds left in the game, the Ufa team finally scored their only goal.

Expensive Taxi

Starting in March 2026, changes to the legislation on vehicle localization for taxis will come into force in Russia. Because of this, experts believe, 200 thousand taxi drivers will leave the market. In total, there are at least 1 million drivers working in taxis in the country. Taxi companies state that the industry reform is following a stricter scenario.

Some drivers will leave the taxi business due to a lack of funds to buy a new Russian-made car. This will primarily affect the self-employed. Additionally, preferential car loan and leasing programs are not available in Russia. There is a risk that some drivers and taxi companies will simply move to the « gray » segment.

At the same time, there is still no list of cars that will be considered localized. It is assumed that, in addition to Lada, Moskvich, Evolute, Haval, Solaris, and Sollers will be included. Localization will mainly affect taxi fleets in Moscow and St. Petersburg. There, foreign cars have historically been used more often, while Russian-made cars are rather rare.

Tatarstan

Tatarstan is a republic in Russia with a rich history as a center of the Volga Bulgar state and later the Kazan Khanate, which was conquered by Russia in the 16th century. It is known for its unique blend of Tatar and Slavic cultures, visible in its capital city Kazan through landmarks like the Kul Sharif Mosque and the Annunciation Cathedral. Today, it is a vibrant, economically developed region where Islam and Orthodox Christianity coexist.

State Council of Tatarstan

The State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan is the regional parliament and the highest legislative body of the Republic of Tatarstan, a federal subject of Russia. It was established in 1990, following the dissolution of the Supreme Soviet of the Tatar ASSR, as the republic declared its sovereignty. The council is responsible for adopting laws and representing the interests of the people of Tatarstan.

Federation Council

The Federation Council is the upper house of the Federal Assembly, Russia’s national legislature. It was established by the 1993 constitution following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The council represents the country’s federal subjects, with each region sending two delegates.

Ak Bars

Ak Bars is a prominent cultural and sports complex in Kazan, Russia, best known as the home arena of the Ak Bars Kazan professional ice hockey team. The arena was constructed and opened in 2005, named after the historic Volga Bulgar ruler who founded the city. It is a major hub for sporting events and concerts in the Tatarstan region.

Kontinental Hockey League

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) is a major professional ice hockey league founded in 2008, succeeding the Russian Superleague. It was established with the goal of becoming a pan-Eurasian counterpart to North America’s NHL, initially featuring teams primarily from Russia but also including clubs from several other countries. The league’s most famous and historically dominant team is HC CSKA Moscow.

Salavat Yulaev

Salavat Yulaev is a major monument in Ufa, Russia, erected in 1967 to honor the Bashkir national hero and poet of the same name. He was a key leader in the Pugachev Rebellion (1773–1775) against the Russian Empire, symbolizing the struggle for freedom and the rights of the Bashkir people. The equestrian statue is one of the largest in Europe and remains a powerful cultural symbol of the Republic of Bashkortostan.

Green Derby

I am not familiar with a significant place or cultural site known as « Green Derby. » This name may refer to a local event, a business, or a lesser-known location. Could you please provide more context or clarify the name so I can assist you better?

Lada

I am unable to provide a summary for « Lada » as it is not a recognized place or cultural site. It is most commonly known as a Russian automobile manufacturer founded in the Soviet era in 1966. To assist you better, could you please provide more context or clarify the specific location you are referring to?