Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin (Russian: Михаил Владимирович Мишустин; born 3 March 1966) is a Russian politician and economist who has served as the Prime Minister of Russia since 16 January 2020. Prior to his appointment, he held the position of Director of the Federal Taxation Service from 2010 to 2020.
 | |
| Prime Minister of Russia | |
| Assumed office 16 January 2020 | |
| President | Vladimir Putin |
| First Deputy | Andrey Belousov Denis Manturov |
| Preceded by | Dmitry Medvedev |
| Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union State | |
| Assumed office 16 January 2020 | |
| Secretary General |
|
| Preceded by | Dmitry Medvedev |
| Head of the Special Coordinating Council for Security Enhancement | |
| Assumed office 19 October 2022 | |
| President | Vladimir Putin |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Director of the Federal Taxation Service | |
| In office 6 April 2010 – 16 January 2020 | |
| Prime Minister |
|
| Preceded by | Mikhail Mokretsov |
| Succeeded by | Daniil Yegorov |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 March 1966 Lobnya, Moscow Oblast, Soviet Union |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Vladlena Mishustina |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | STANKIN |
| Occupation |
|
| Profession | Engineer |
On 15 January 2020, President Vladimir Putin nominated Mishustin for the role of Prime Minister following the resignation of Dmitry Medvedev and his government, which was aimed at facilitating extensive constitutional reforms. Mishustin's appointment was reviewed by the State Duma on 16 January 2020, where he was confirmed and officially assumed office the same day.
Mishustin holds the federal state civilian service rank of 1st class Active State Councillor of the Russian Federation.
Early Life and Education
Mikhail Mishustin was born on 3 March 1966 in Lobnya, a town near Moscow, to Vladimir Moiseyevich Mishustin and Luiza Mikhailovna. His mother was born in Kotlas, Arkhangelsk Oblast, while his father, Vladimir Moiseyevich Mishustin, originated from Polotsk. His father was a member of the Central Committee of the Komsomol.
In 1989, Mishustin graduated from the Moscow State Technological University "Stankin" (STANKIN) with a degree in system engineering. He later completed his postgraduate studies at the same institution in 1992.
Mishustin earned a PhD in Economics from the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in 2003. In 2010, he obtained a Doctor of Sciences (DSc) degree in Economics from the Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.
Entrepreneurship and Early Career
Mikhail Mishustin began his career after completing graduate school as a director of a test laboratory facility. In 1992, he joined the International Computer Club (ICC), where he worked on facilitating the integration of Russian and Western information technologies, eventually becoming chairman of the board.
Early Career in State Service (1998–2008)
Mishustin entered public service in 1998 as an assistant for information systems for tax payment accounting at the State Tax Service of Russia. He quickly rose to the position of deputy head of the service and, following the service's transformation into the Ministry of Taxes and Duties, he served as Deputy Minister of Taxes and Duties until 2004. He also held roles as head of the Federal Agency for Real Estate Cadastre (2004–2006) and head of the Federal Agency for the Management of Special Economic Zones (2006–2008).
During his tenure at the Federal Agency for Real Estate Cadastre, Mishustin oversaw the development of a real estate cadastre and valuation system. His leadership led to a comprehensive cadastral assessment of land and the introduction of a land tax based on cadastral value.
Return to Private Sector (2008–2010)
In 2008, Mishustin left public service and became president of UFG Asset Management, a major investment fund. He remained in this role for two years before returning to government service.
Director of the Federal Taxation Service (2010–2020)
In 2010, Mishustin was appointed director of the Federal Taxation Service (FTS) by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. As head of the FTS, he gained a reputation as a technocrat focused on digital modernization and tax efficiency. Mishustin introduced widespread digitization of tax services, reducing the "VAT gap" from 20% to less than 1% by implementing a surveillance-based system of economic activity monitoring. His policies included requiring real-time transaction reporting and the use of online cash registers. Though his methods received some criticism for being strict on businesses, they were also credited with improving tax collection and efficiency.
Prime Minister of Russia
On 15 January 2020, following the resignation of Dmitry Medvedev's government, President Vladimir Putin nominated Mishustin as Prime Minister. He was confirmed by the State Duma the following day.
Prime Minister (2020–present)
Appointment
Mikhail Mishustin was appointed Prime Minister of Russia on 15 January 2020, after President Vladimir Putin delivered a Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly, proposing constitutional amendments to shift power away from the presidency. Following the resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the entire cabinet, Putin nominated Mishustin for the role. Mishustin was confirmed by the State Duma on 16 January 2020, with 383 votes in favor, marking the first time a Prime Minister was confirmed without any votes against. Mishustin was appointed Prime Minister by Putin's decree.
On 7 May 2024, after Vladimir Putin's inauguration, Mishustin and his government resigned. However, on 9 May 2024, Putin nominated Mishustin again for the post, and on 10 May, the State Duma confirmed him for a second term.
State Duma Confirmation Votes
16 January 2020:
- Votes in favor: 383 (85.1%)
- Votes against: 0 (0.0%)
- Abstentions: 41 (9.1%)
- Did not vote: 25 (5.6%)
10 May 2024:
- Votes in favor: 375 (83.3%)
- Votes against: 0 (0.0%)
- Abstentions: 57 (12.7%)
- Did not vote: 18 (4.0%)
Cabinets
First Cabinet: Mishustin presented a draft structure of his Cabinet to President Putin on 21 January 2020. The Cabinet included members from Medvedev’s Second Cabinet, with only a few changes in Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers. Mishustin is noted for forming his "own" cabinet, which included several of his associates from his time at the Federal Tax Service, signaling that he was given significant freedom to make changes.
Second Cabinet: After the 2024 inauguration, Mishustin's Cabinet resigned on 7 May but continued as a caretaker government until the formation of the new cabinet. On 11 May 2024, the structure of the Cabinet remained largely unchanged, with the positions of Deputy Prime Ministers and Federal Ministers remaining the same, but some restructuring, such as the separation of the Minister of Industry and Trade from the Deputy Prime Minister role. On 12 May, Putin nominated candidates for key ministerial positions, with four ministers retaining their roles, and Andrey Belousov was appointed Defense Minister, replacing Sergey Shoygu. The Federation Council approved these nominations on 14 May 2024.
Term as Prime Minister (2020–present)
Federal Budget and Digital Economy
Under Mishustin's leadership, the Russian government focused on cutting the federal budget for 2020–2022 in line with President Putin's 2020 Presidential Address to the Parliament. Mishustin also emphasized the development of the digital economy and proposed a plan to create a comprehensive electronic income database for all Russian citizens to track their earnings.
Domestic Travels and Regional Assessments
Starting in February 2020, Mishustin began traveling across the country to assess living conditions in various regions and identify areas that needed improvement. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, he visited regions like Novgorod, Kurgan, Yaroslavl, and Kostroma. After the easing of pandemic restrictions in July 2020, Mishustin resumed his regional visits, including a trip to Tatarstan.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
Initial Actions: Mishustin acted quickly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2020, he established an operational headquarters to prevent the virus's spread. He also introduced several measures such as closing borders with China and later with other countries, including Belarus, to limit the virus's entry.
Support for Business: Mishustin announced measures to support businesses during the pandemic, including tax deferrals for travel agencies, airlines, and small businesses, as well as controlling the prices of essential goods.
Lockdowns and Quarantine Measures: By the end of March 2020, Mishustin introduced stricter quarantine measures, including the cancellation of vacations and the suspension of activities for restaurants. Moscow implemented a lockdown, and Mishustin proposed fines for violating quarantine regulations.
Personal Battle with COVID-19: On 30 April 2020, Mishustin tested positive for COVID-19, prompting him to recommend Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov to serve as acting Prime Minister. Mishustin recovered and resumed his duties in mid-May 2020, becoming the highest-ranking Russian official to contract the virus.
Economic Recovery Plan
On 1 June 2020, Mishustin unveiled a national plan to restore Russia's economy post-pandemic. The plan aimed for sustainable economic growth, the reduction of unemployment to under 5%, and a GDP growth rate of at least 2.5% annually by the end of 2021.
Domestic Policy: IT Industry
Mishustin has been a key proponent of advancing Russia’s IT sector. In June 2020, he proposed a tax maneuver for IT companies to reduce their tax burden and create a more competitive environment. This included reducing the corporate income tax from 20% to 3% and lowering insurance premiums from 14% to 7.6%. President Putin endorsed the initiative, and in July 2020, Mishustin discussed it at an IT conference in Tatarstan, where he emphasized the need for Russia to become a leader in digitalization, avoiding dependence on foreign technology.
Transport Infrastructure Projects
Moscow–Kazan Highway: During his trip to Tatarstan in July 2020, Mishustin launched the construction of the Moscow–Kazan highway, a key part of the Europe-Western China route. This project is considered the largest road initiative in Russia. Mishustin accelerated the timeline, setting the goal of completing the highway by 2024, three years ahead of schedule. He also promised additional funding to ensure timely completion and directed the Transport Minister to explore extending the highway to Yekaterinburg by 2030.
Moscow–Saint Petersburg High-Speed Railway: In July 2024, Mishustin announced a concession agreement for the construction of the Moscow–Saint Petersburg high-speed railway, further enhancing transportation links between major Russian cities.
Increased Air Travel: At the Russian Transport Forum in November 2024, Mishustin discussed plans to boost the frequency of domestic flights in Russia by 1.5 times over the next six years. The government plans to modernize over a third of Russia’s airport infrastructure to support this growth.
Administrative Reform
Government Optimization: On 16 November 2020, Mishustin introduced an administrative reform aimed at streamlining the state apparatus to improve efficiency. This included reducing the number of civil servants, primarily by eliminating vacant positions, and standardizing the structure of federal executive bodies. The reform also proposed transforming federal state unitary enterprises into joint-stock companies, with the intention of privatizing them.
Development Institutions: On 23 November 2020, Mishustin announced further optimization of state institutions involved in innovation and development, with plans to centralize many functions under VEB.RF, a major state investment bank.
Migration Policy
- Control and Registration: In October 2023, Mishustin focused on migration policy, emphasizing the need for better control over migration flows to ensure national security. He proposed an electronic register for migrant workers and their employers to streamline identification and improve monitoring of illegal migration and criminal activities.
Climate and Environmental Initiatives
Nature Protection: In 2021, Mishustin highlighted nature protection as a key priority for his government. Efforts focused on reducing harmful emissions, eliminating landfills, transitioning public transport to alternative fuels, and developing a modern waste recycling infrastructure. The government also aimed to promote a circular economy.
Environmental Development Program: In February 2022, Mishustin approved a long-term environmental development program through 2030. The plan included high-tech solutions to study the climate, adapt to climate change, and mitigate the impact of greenhouse gases.
Climate Change Conference and Carbon Neutrality: In November 2024, Mishustin participated in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku. He reported that Russia had reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than half compared to 1990 levels and set a target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This goal will focus on improving energy efficiency, advancing electric transport, and implementing modern agricultural and forestry practices. Notably, 85% of Russia’s energy balance is derived from clean, low-emission sources, including gas, nuclear, and renewable energy.
Foreign Policy
Relations with China: In May 2023, Mishustin visited Beijing and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, emphasizing that the relations between Russia and China were at an "unprecedented high level." This marks the strengthening of ties between the two nations amid global challenges and Western sanctions.
Regional Engagement: In April 2024, Mishustin highlighted the importance of preserving and enhancing Russia’s influence in regional international organizations like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. He stressed that Russia was working closely with strategic partners in the face of ongoing Western sanctions.
Invasion of Ukraine: While Mishustin’s role as Prime Minister has been tied to managing Russia’s economic challenges, sources close to the Kremlin suggest that he had little to no involvement in the decision to invade Ukraine. He has reportedly tried to distance himself from the war, though his government has faced international scrutiny for its actions.
Sanctions
Mishustin is under personal sanctions imposed by the United States, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and New Zealand due to his involvement in the Russian government’s response to the invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions target his personal assets and restrict his ability to travel to these countries.
Personal Life
Family and Hobbies: Mishustin is married and has three sons. He is passionate about ice hockey and plays the sport recreationally. Mishustin is also a music enthusiast and an amateur pianist. He has even written pop music for Russian singer Grigory Leps.
COVID-19 Infection: Mishustin tested positive for COVID-19 on 30 April 2020 and went into self-quarantine. He was the first high-ranking Russian official to publicly disclose his infection, and his case made headlines as one of the most prominent Russian figures to contract the virus.
Wealth and Assets
Mishustin’s family holds real estate valued at $48.2 million in the Moscow area, including properties owned by his father, two sons, and sister. He has been subject to scrutiny over his family's wealth, especially regarding his wife’s earnings, including nearly 800 million rubles ($10 million) over a nine-year period. Mishustin's assets were reportedly transferred to his wife when he entered civil service in 2010, and she subsequently received dividends from these investments.
Awards
Russian Honors: Mishustin has received several prestigious awards, including the Order of Honour (2012), the Russian Federation Presidential Certificate of Honour (2013), and the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" (2015).
Foreign and Ecclesiastical Awards: He has been recognized internationally, including receiving the Gold Medal of Honour of the City of Athens in 2021. Additionally, he has received ecclesiastical honors, such as the Patriarchal Badge of the Temple Builder (2017) and the Order of the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov III degree (2019).
Ranks
Mishustin holds the rank of Acting State Advisor to the Russian Federation, 1st class, which he received on 5 December 2010.
References
- (No date) Mikhail Mishustin - the Russian government. Available at: http://premier.gov.ru/en/events/ (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
- Ap (2024) Putin reappoints mishustin as Russia’s prime minister, The Hindu. Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/putin-reappoints-mishustin-as-russias-prime-minister/article68160442.ece (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
- Biography (no date) Правительство России официальный сайт. Available at: http://government.ru/en/gov/persons/151/biography/ (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
- Mikhail Mishustin (2024) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Mishustin (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
- Vladimir Putin reappoints Mikhail Mishustin as Russian pm: Who is he? (2024) The Indian Express. Available at: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/russia-pm-mikhail-mishustin-putin-9320643/ (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
