Son of Don Cossack Seeks Krasnodar Mayor, Returns to Homeland
Both father and son Vodolatsky have served as deputy governor of Rostov Region.
The son of ataman and State Duma deputy Viktor Vodolatsky did not remain in the shadow of his famous father. Dmitry Vodolatsky began building his career in Kuban, tried to become the head of Krasnodar, then went to the special military operation, and after returned to work in his small homeland. In the project «Heirs,» we study the biography of one of the youngest deputy governors of Rostov Region.
Viktor Vodolatsky began his career in the city of Azov.
Chapter One. From Heat Engineer to Ataman
In 2010, Dmitry Vodolatsky earned a second higher education at the Diplomatic Academy.
Dmitry Vodolatsky was born in Azov on July 1, 1986. His father Viktor then worked at a local enterprise of united boiler houses. Vodolatsky Sr. progressed there from a heat engineer to director. When his son was one year old, the 30-year-old Viktor Vodolatsky received a diploma from a construction technical school.
Dmitry Vodolatsky led the municipal control department in Krasnodar«s administration.
After the collapse of the USSR, Vodolatsky Sr. moved to work in the Azov city administration. In 1992, he became the deputy of city head Vitaly Pevnev. In 1994, Vodolatsky was elected a deputy of the first convocation of the Azov City Duma.
He became the head of Krasnodar«s Western District in the year 2020.
Already in 1995, Vodolatsky tried to enter the State Duma. But he did not make it to parliament.
Vodolatsky engaged with residents during public meetings on local issues.
In 1997, Vodolatsky left the Azov city duma. He moved to work in the region. At that time, governor Vladimir Chub created the Licensing Chamber «Rostobllitsenziya.» Viktor Vodolatsky became the head of this chamber.
The noisy skatepark was a source of complaints from nearby residents.
Two years later, he was appointed deputy governor for Cossack affairs. In the same 1999, Vodolatsky became the ataman of the All-Great Don Host.
The renovated skate area features modern equipment and safety improvements.
Parallel to his career in power, Vodolatsky Sr. received additional education and even has a candidate of sociological sciences degree.
Krasnodar already has two other Ferris wheels in different locations.
In 2003, he again ran for the State Duma. This time from «United Russia.» But he failed to get a seat in parliament.
Large potholes on the sidewalk posed a hazard to pedestrians.
Chapter Two. «Various Positions»
He also used a German saw for tree-cutting during city cleanups.
In 2007, Viktor Vodolatsky finally managed to be elected to the State Duma from «United Russia.» There, he joined the security committee and became chairman of the subcommittee on legislation in the areas of crime prevention, ensuring public participation and public organizations in law enforcement. Since 2007, Vodolatsky has been re-elected to the State Duma almost every convocation, except for the 2011 elections. In 2012, he briefly served as deputy governor of Rostov Region, but in the same year returned to the State Duma after another deputy surrendered his mandate.
Vodolatsky left his district head position in Krasnodar during 2023.
About Viktor Vodolatsky«s work in the State Duma, 161.RU told in a separate article.
He assumed the role of Rostov Region deputy governor in March 2025.
In 2007, his son Dmitry graduated from the FSB Academy. His official biography states that from 2002 to 2013 he served in the Russian Armed Forces. In 2010, he received a second higher education at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Vodolatsky inspected the Alley of Honorary Burials in Tsymlyansk.
His official biography states that from 2013 to 2017, Dmitry Vodolatsky «held various positions in federal and regional organizations.»
He oversees veterans« affairs and military preparation for citizens.
It is known that since 2015, Dmitry Vodolatsky held the position of head of the forest supervision department on defense and security lands of the Federal Forestry Agency in Moscow.
Dmitry Vodolatsky has been a deputy governor for approximately one year.
The «SPARK» service indicates that Vodolatsky Jr. had the status of an individual entrepreneur in Moscow in 2016–2017. The main activity was trade in souvenirs and folk art crafts.
— The individual entrepreneur terminated activities due to his corresponding decision, — notes the «SPARK» service.
In 2017, Dmitry Vodolatsky began another stage in his career. He moved from the capital to Krasnodar.
Chapter Three. Start of Career in Kuban
In 2017, Dmitry Vodolatsky took the post of deputy head of the municipal control department in the Krasnodar administration. Already the next year, he became the head of this department.
— Dmitry Vodolatsky has worked in the municipal control department as a deputy until today, got into the swing of things, copes with the assigned duties. I expect that he will increase the efficiency of the department in identifying and suppressing violations of legislation in the field of development and use of urban territories, — said Yevgeny Pervyshov, who at that time held the post of mayor of Krasnodar, introducing Vodolatsky.
In this position, Dmitry Vodolatsky monitored the installation of illegal stalls and billboards in Krasnodar, dealt with squares and promenade areas, was responsible for sidewalk repairs, and much more. Additionally, Vodolatsky headed the Federation of Computer Sports of Krasnodar Krai for one year.
In 2020, a new turn occurred in his career. The 34-year-old Dmitry Vodolatsky headed the Western District of Krasnodar.
His candidacy was presented by Krasnodar head Yevgeny Pervyshov:
— Dmitry Vodolatsky works productively in the city administration. I think everyone noticed the changes that occurred in the work of the municipal control department: streets were cleared of illegal pavilions, many illegal structures were eliminated. Green zones appeared in place of the freed territories. I support his desire to prove himself in a higher position.
Chapter Four. Head of the District
Dmitry Vodolatsky managed the Western District of Krasnodar for three years and managed to be remembered for several stories.
In 2021, in the Yubileiny microdistrict, they decided to build a skatepark. But the location chosen was not the most successful — right under the windows of an apartment building. Residents complained that they suffered from noise and asked to move the skate area.
— There are no roads yet, we waited for improvement, but so far only a skatepark. From the house to it is 54 meters, the authorities rounded and write everywhere that it«s 60 meters, — resident Valentina Railko told our colleagues from 93.RU at the time.
Vodolatsky met with residents of the district and «listened to everyone»s opinion,« as written in releases from the Krasnodar administration. He instructed the police, Cossacks, and officials to »take measures to resolve this situation,« »find optimal solutions.«
In the end, the old wooden skate area was dismantled and moved a few meters. The updated skatepark, although it looks more modern and safer, is still located near residential buildings.
There was also a loud story with the project of a Ferris wheel in the same microdistrict of Krasnodar. In May 2022, the authorities announced that they wanted to build a 50-meter-high wheel with an investor«s funds, but everything would depend on the residents» decision. Krasnodar residents were not enthusiastic about this idea and asked the district head to build social facilities or engage in improvement.
Colleagues from 93.RU wrote that at a meeting with residents, Vodolatsky tried to lobby for the installation of the Ferris wheel. To the objections of Krasnodar residents, the official responded that they «think only about themselves»:
— Yubileiny, so you understand, is a city. It«s not even a district, it»s a city with a population of over 100,000 people. What do we have in this small city? Do we have cinemas, some amusement park? This is a whole city that lacks the necessary ordinary entertainments for children«s development. You are now thinking only about yourselves, but think about future generations.
The Ferris wheel was not built. But not because of residents« outrage, but due to the investor»s refusal from the project.
Around the same period, the issue of shoreline reinforcement was acute in the district. The Yubileiny microdistrict has been going underwater for decades. In May 2022, Vodolatsky met with residents and stated that they would not reinforce the shore because there was no money for it.
— So you understand, the money for shoreline reinforcement, for the embankment has already been taken from us. This year, nothing new will be built by us, — [People in the hall asked what happened]. — Because of sanctions due to the special operation, — answered Vodolatsky.
The income declaration for 2021 indicates that Dmitry Vodolatsky, as district head, earned 4.6 million rubles (about $61,300 at current rates). This is almost 400,000 rubles per month. His spouse declared an annual income of over 500,000 rubles. The official«s family had registered a BMW X7, an all-terrain vehicle. The family owned several apartments, a land plot, a 400-square-meter residential house, and a sauna.
As an official in Krasnodar, the native of Rostov Region came to one of the city«s subbotniks in a tracksuit by the German brand Bogner costing several hundred euros.
Chapter Five. Becoming Mayor of Krasnodar
In 2021, Dmitry Vodolatsky participated in the competition for the post of head of Krasnodar. The competition took place in two stages. First, the commission evaluated candidates« applications. Those who passed this stage moved to the second. It was in the form of an interview, during which commission members assessed participants» professional and personal qualities. Vodolatsky and four other participants passed to the final.
Dmitry Vodolatsky promised that as mayor of Krasnodar, he was ready to fulfill several promises. For example, to create a single embankment along the Kuban River, connect the Karasun Lakes. Additionally, he assured that he would start developing the center and protecting historical buildings, prohibit spot development, develop a program for the comprehensive development of utility networks, and update the public transport fleet.
But Krasnodar deputies were more impressed by the program of Andrey Alekseyenko — the former first deputy of Kuban governor Veniamin Kondratyev. For him, 40 out of 40 deputies voted.
In the Krasnodar mayor«s office under the new head, Vodolatsky retained his post, but in the city itself, he did not stay for long.
In November 2023, he announced that he was leaving the post of head of the Western Intracity District of Krasnodar. Telling about leaving the position, he wrote on his social media:
— For three years, the Western District has become native to me. During this time, much has been done; together with the team, deputies, and residents, we achieved successes in various areas. This was a very intense and interesting stage in life, it taught me a lot, became valuable experience that will help me in the future.
Among his merits, he then named active assistance to the military, improvement of territories, as well as repair of squares and playgrounds.
Chapter Six. Military Service and Return to Homeland
After working in civil service in Krasnodar, Dmitry Vodolatsky returned to military service. In 2023, as indicated in his official biography, he was the first deputy head of the regional special communications administration for the North Caucasus region. In 2024, he went to the front, where he was deputy battalion commander of «Bars» for military-political work.
Vodolatsky did not talk about his military service. It is known that he was awarded the LPR medal «For Merit» II degree, the badge «Brave.»
While Vodolatsky was at the front, in 2024, important changes occurred in Rostov Region. Vasily Golubev in November announced that he was leaving the governor«s chair. The acting head of the region became native of Rostov and head of »United Aircraft Corporation« Yury Slyusar. He began changing the regional government team. Deputy governors who worked under Golubev started losing their positions. Slyusar appointed new people to their posts.
In March 2025, he presented as his new deputy the 39-year-old Dmitry Vodolatsky, who became responsible for issues of state policy in the field of territorial defense, interaction with the military, customs, and border guards.
— Behind his shoulders — experience of military service, work in commercial and state structures, municipal authorities. I am confident he will be useful to Rostov Region and our residents, — noted Yury Slyusar, talking about the new deputy.
In September 2025, gubernatorial elections were held. Yury Slyusar won them. The official appointment was commented on by State Duma deputy Viktor Vodolatsky.
— I am convinced that under the leadership of Yury Borisovich, together we will be able to implement all planned plans for the development of our native Rostov Region, — wrote Vodolatsky Sr. on his Telegram channel.
Chapter Seven. As Deputy Governor
Dmitry Vodolatsky has been holding the post of deputy governor for a year. On his social media, he periodically writes about transferring equipment and vehicles to the military, assisting veterans of combat operations in Ukraine, and the results of conscription campaigns.
In May, a scandal occurred in Rostov Region related to the Alley of Honorary Burials in Tsymlyansk. Residents were outraged by the condition of the alley. According to them, the administration did not care for the burial site at all. Yury Slyusar instructed Vodolatsky to go to the site.
— I completely agree with the residents and the chairman of the local branch of the all-Russian organization «Combat Brotherhood» Vitaly Kuzmin: it is absolutely unacceptable for the place where fighters who gave the Motherland the most valuable — life — rest to remain without the attention of the city administration! — stated Dmitry Vodolatsky at the time.
He added that he instructed local head Pavel Razumovsky to monitor the cleanup.
After Slyusar«s visit to Tsymlyansk and communication with residents, Pavel Razumovsky lost his post. And later became a figure in a criminal case.
A scandal similar to the situation in Tsymlyansk occurred later in Azov. Relatives of deceased military personnel complained about a garbage dump near burials on the Alley of Heroes. Then Dmitry Vodolatsky called the situation «difficult,» but with outlined solutions. In the end, the government of Rostov Region agreed on installing additional garbage containers and removing accumulated piles.
— The main task: to restore order and no longer allow the appearance of garbage piles, — wrote the deputy governor then in his channel.
In July 2025, the Administration for Veterans of Combat Operations and Preparing Citizens for Military Service was created in Rostov Region. Dmitry Vodolatsky was tasked with supervising it.
— Briefly, the tasks are: support for veterans of combat operations and their families, social adaptation of participants in the special military operation to peaceful life, popularization of military-patriotic themes, exclude the possibility of falsifying the history of Russia, the Don region, and preserve the true memory of heroes, events, prepare our youth for military service, — wrote Yury Slyusar then on his Telegram channel.
Dmitry Vodolatsky thanked the head of the region for «supporting the initiative.»
— I consider the decision to create this structure an important step not only in terms of helping veterans but also in matters of educating the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism and respect for defenders of the Fatherland, for the history of our Motherland, — stated the deputy governor.
Publicly, Dmitry and Viktor Vodolatsky do not speak about each other. Vodolatsky Sr. on social media did not congratulate his son on the appointment, did not share his combat successes.
It is known that Vodolatsky Jr. is married and has three sons. Here is what he wrote on his social media on the occasion of Father«s Day:
— A prosperous family — the foundation of society and state stability, and the role of the father in it is as important as the role of the mother. The duty of the father is not only to create material goods but also to be an example for his children, a support for the whole family. In daily cares and the rapid pace of life, it is important to remember that our children look at us and learn life from the example of their parents. They need kind advice and support. Father — is a friend, helper, and mentor.
