Russian authorities have recently stepped up pressure on oil companies, including Russia's largest crude producer LUKoil, as the Federal Service for the Oversight of Natural Resources discovered serious infringements of environmental law at various oil extraction sites in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District and other Russian regions.
Oleg Mitvol said Vyacheslav Antipov, the head of Rosprirodnadzor's department for the oversight of water resources and gas transportation system security, will replace Ramil Chermakov.
Mitvol said the watchdog is lacking officials but the district "is the sort of place where they have to be replaced frequently."
In late January, Mitvol said he had many questions for Rosprirodnadzor's Khanty-Mansi department.
He said local environmental officials failed to notice serious violations, gave companies long terms to correct breaches (up to 1.5 years) and applied low fines (some $400).
Mitvol said such officials should be sacked.
