Vladimir Saldo
Summary
This episode of No Gods No Mayors profiles Vladimir Saldo, the corrupt former mayor of Kherson who served as an FSB asset before becoming Russia’s appointed governor during the invasion. Hosts November Kelly, Masie Lobchansky, and Riley Quinn detail Saldo’s history of embezzlement, his involvement in the kidnapping and torture of a rival in the Dominican Republic, and the assassination of that rival’s brother. The discussion highlights how Saldo’s criminal past and pro-Russian alignment facilitated his rise to power following the 2022 occupation.
Topics discussed
Intro: No Gods No Mayors and episode overview
Context: Kherson geography and watermelons
Vladimir Saldo's early life and rise to power
Saldo's corrupt mayoralty and suspicious deaths
Euromaidan, Russian invasion, and Saldo's defeat
Saldo's wilderness years and meditation drums
The kidnapping and torture of Denis Paschenko
Paschenko's escape and Saldo's indictment
2022 Occupation: Saldo as collaborator governor
Kirill Stremousov's madness and death
Conclusion: The failure of Russian occupation
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