Sergey Nazarov

Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation

General Biographical Information

• Sergey Nazarov was born on July 27, 1961 in Kizel, Perm Oblast, the RSFSR, the Soviet Union.
• In 1984 graduated from the Moscow Mining Institute.
• He was awarded the Order of Honor (2007), the Certificate of Honor of the President of the Russian Federation (2010), the Certificate of Honor of the Rostov Region Administration (2010), the Certificate of Commendation from the President of the Russian Federation (2004).
• In 2017, Nazarov fell under the US sanctions list for his links with the separatist regions of Ukraine.

Professional Career

• In 1978-1998, Nazarov worked his way up from a mechanic-repairman to the CEO of JSC Gukovugol in the city of Gukovo, Rostov Oblast.

Political Career

• From 1998 to 2012, prior to his engagement in the Russian government, Nazarov worked in the local government, as well as in the business sector in the Rostov region.
• 1998-2002 - Deputy Head of the Administration (Governor) of the Rostov region, Minister of Fuel, Energy and Natural Resources.
• 2002-2007 - Deputy Head of the Administration (Governor) of the Rostov region, Minister of Industry, Energy and Natural Resources.
• 2007-2008 - Deputy Head of the Administration (Governor) of the Rostov region.
• 2008-2010 - First Deputy Head of the Administration (Governor) of the Rostov region, Vice Governor.
• 2010-2012 - Director of the Department for Interaction with Government Bodies at the Mechel (an international coal mining and steel company) Office in the Southern Federal District of, Rostov-on-Don.
• In 2012-2014, Deputy Minister of Regional Development of the Russian Federation.
• After the abolition of the Ministry of Regional Development on December 13, 2014, Nazarov was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, and as the Head of the Interagency Commission for the provision of humanitarian aid to people living in breakaway regions (Donetsk and Luhansk) of Ukraine. Nazarov is also responsible for the socio-economic development of annexed Crimea. He periodically visits Crimea, where he oversees the implementation of ongoing projects under the socio-economic development program. According to the Security Service of Ukraine, Nazarov controls the illegal export of coal from separatist-controlled territories in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Ukrainian media write that Nazarov was involved in the formation of a “financial triangle,” a scheme of economic relations between the separatist regions of Ukraine and Russia through the Tskhinvali region. As an investigation of European journalists states, Nazarov is responsible for overseeing the illegal export of Donbass coal. According to the investigation, companies registered in the Tskhinvali region also participate in the illegal export scheme.
• As per the Russian presidential decree of January 20, 2021, Mikhail Babich, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia, was appointed as the Deputy Head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation. Babich oversaw the direction of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region in the ministry. Babich's functions in the direction of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region were transferred to the Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Sergey Nazarov, who also became responsible for the North Caucasus region.

Relations with Abkhazia

• On April 11, 2014, Nazarov, as the Deputy Minister of Regional Development, visited Abkhazia. He took part in the third Russian-Abkhazian humanitarian forum. According to him, the forum became an effective mechanism for the development of bilateral cooperation, and strengthening friendly relations. Over the six years since Russia recognized Abkhazia's independence, more than 50 Russian regions have established trade and economic relations with Abkhazia.
• On February 9, 2021, an extended meeting on the implementation of investment projects in Abkhazia was held at the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. The meeting was attended by Kristina Ozgan, the de facto Vice Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy, Ilona Lakerbaia, the Director of the so-called State Investment Agency, and Abkhaz entrepreneurs from the Abkhaz side, and Nazarov and representatives of Russian banks participating in the investment program - from the Russian side.

• On April 15-16, 2021, representatives of the Russian Ministries of Economic Development and Energy paid a two-day working visit to Abkhazia. The Russian delegation was chaired by Nazarov. This was Nazarov's first visit to Abkhazia in his new role. The goal of the visit was to check facilities funded under the Russian investment program. Nazarov visited the tourist city of Gagra, Tkvarceli and Ochamchire districts.

• On April 20, 2021, the de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, paid official visit to Russia. On April 23, Bzhania  met with the Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of Russia, Dmitry Kozak. At the meeting, the main topic of discussion was the implementation of the investment program promoting the socio-economic development of Abkhazia. The meeting was also attended by Igor Maslov, the Head of the Directorate for Interregional Relations and Cultural Contacts with Foreign Countries of the Russian Presidential Administration, Andrey Ivanov, the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development, and Nazarov.

• On April 28, 2021, the de facto Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Abkhazia, Kristina Ozgan met with Nazarov. The parties discussed the issues such as cooperation in the implementation of the Russia's investment program, the energy, and harmonization and development of investment “legislation.” 

Relations with the Tskhinvali region

• On November 6, 2008, the 8th International Economic Forum was held in Rostov-on-Don, focusing on issues of the economic development of the Russian Southern Federal District. One of the forum organizers was the North Caucasus Economic Council of the Association for Economic Interaction of the Entities of the Southern Federal District of the Russian Federation, chaired by Nazarov, who at that time held the position of the Deputy Head of Administration (Governor) of the Rostov region. The meeting was also attended by the de facto Minister of Economy of the Tskhinvali region, Teimuraz Chochiev, and representatives of the de facto government of Abkhazia.
• On January 27, 2021, a group of 14 MPs of the de facto parliament of the Tskhinvali region sent a letter to the Russian government. In the letter, the “MPs” pointed out the illegitimacy of relations between the de facto government of the Tskhinvali region and Russia, as the term of office of the de facto government and the Prime Minister of the Tskhinvali region expired in October 2020. On February 18, Nazarov responded to the Tskhinvali ”MPs” and called on them to overcome the internal political crisis, without which the socio-economic development of the Tskhinvali region would face difficulties.
• On May 21, 2021, Nazarov visited the Tskhinvali region. This was Nazarov’s first visit to the region in his new role. Before the visit to the Tskhinvali region, he paid a working visit to North Ossetia. On the same day, a meeting was held with the participation of Nazarov, the Russia's “ambassador” to the Tskhinvali region, Marat Kulakhmetov, members of the Russian delegation and representatives of the de facto government of the Tskhinvali region. The meeting discussed aspects of the socio-economic cooperation between Russia and the Tskhinvali region. Nazarov, Kulakhmetov, Bibilov and other representatives of the de facto government took part in the opening of the memorial complex to the Defenders of the Fatherland. On the second day, Nazarov visited facilities under construction under the Russian investment program.