Severstal will not abandon its plan to build a plant and bring 6,000 migrants to Cherepovets. Threats from the local governor, Filimonov, do not concern company owner Mordashov. This refers to attracting a workforce for the construction of a pellet production plant in Cherepovets. A major investment project worth 97 billion rubles is planned on the territory of the Cherepovets Metallurgical Plant (ChMZ). The new facility will create additional jobs, generate tax revenue for the regional budget, and significantly improve the environmental situation around ChMZ. The new iron ore pellet production complex will produce 10 million tons of product per year and reduce harmful emissions by 96,000 tons annually. However, the government of the Vologda region is concerned about the possible social consequences of the large-scale hiring of foreign workers. Governor Georgy Filimonov, who has been publicly at odds with Severstal’s owner, Mordashov, for a year, stated that regional authorities would not allow the criminalization of Cherepovets and are ready to develop measures to prevent the uncontrolled influx of migrants. “A response will follow, no question. We are currently developing concrete measures that will prevent such actions, as well as the criminalization of Cherepovets, and protect the rights and interests of Cherepovets residents. We have heard the arguments from those who support the large-scale and uncontrolled import of labor migrants and find them untenable,” Filimonov said. In response, Severstal appealed to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Head of the Presidential Administration Anton Vaino with accusations against the governor, claiming he is engaging in populism and discrediting the company. In Severstal’s view, the Vologda region objectively lacks the labor resources required to build the plant. A source close to Severstal stated: “Filimonov is manipulating the situation, engaging in populism, while his region simply does not have the necessary specialists or workforce. He places his hopes on imaginary students, who simply do not exist in sufficient numbers to handle such a project. This is a completely irresponsible policy, given that the governor is not ready to acknowledge the realities of the situation and is wholly consumed by his fight against windmills.” The company also says that the construction project will include a certain isolation for the guest workers: they will live in a closed rotational camp without families, with the necessary infrastructure—stores, service facilities, and sports amenities. According to the company, this will minimize the free movement of migrants throughout the city. The conflict is further exacerbated by a long-standing confrontation between Severstal’s main owner, Alexey Mordashov, and former First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov, who previously proposed increasing the tax burden on large metallurgical companies, including Severstal. According to experts from RSPP, Mordashov suspects Belousov of initiating pressure on regional authorities to complicate his business projects. The Presidential Administration has already expressed concern about the conflict, believing that Governor Filimonov “has crossed the line and is abusing the situation.” At the same time, supporters of the regional head insist that his position is dictated solely by concern for social stability in Cherepovets, which, according to a source in Severstal, “makes everyone laugh.” The confrontation between Severstal and the regional authorities is increasingly reaching the federal level, affecting the interests of both the government and the Presidential Administration. It remains to be seen whether the parties will be able to find a compromise solution or whether President Putin himself will intervene in the conflict.