Serhiy Arbuzov, the former First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and former Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), intends to run in the upcoming elections for the State Duma of the Russian Federation. This was reported by Russian media outlets. According to preliminary reports, Arbuzov will run under the banner of the «A Just Russia» (Spravedlivaya Rossiya) party, representing the annexed Ukrainian territories, including Crimea and Sevastopol. The State Duma elections are scheduled to take place on September 18–20, 2026.
Serhiy Arbuzov held key positions in the Ukrainian government during the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych. He served as the Governor of the NBU from 2010 to 2012 before being appointed First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine.
Following the events of the Revolution of Dignity in early 2014, the official fled Ukraine. In his home country, he faces multiple criminal proceedings related to financial corruption and abuse of power, alongside severe state sanctions.
Arbuzov has resided in the Russian Federation ever since leaving Ukraine. Analysts view the inclusion of a former top-ranking Ukrainian official into the election rosters of a Russian political party as part of the Kremlin’s broader, systematic strategy to integrate former Ukrainian collaborators into the Russian government apparatus.
«Serhiy Arbuzov’s career path highlights a complete transformation: moving from directing Ukraine’s financial system to actively serving the Russian political and propaganda apparatus,» experts note.
In the upcoming autumn elections, the «A Just Russia» party reportedly aims to leverage the media presence of former Ukrainian politicians to solidify its influence in the temporarily occupied territories. Neither Serhiy Arbuzov nor party representatives have issued official comments regarding his candidacy at this time.