Yuri Matochkin

Yuri Semyonovich Matochkin (; 18 October 1931 – 6 July 2006) was a Soviet and Russian politician. He was the first post-Soviet governor of Kaliningrad Oblast, having been appointed to that position by Boris Yeltsin in September 1991. Matochkin was elected to the Federation Council in 1993 and served on the International Affairs Committee.

Just prior to the breakup of the Soviet Union, a Free Economic Zone was established in Kaliningrad and Matochkin represented it in the USSR. He felt it was necessary to formulate a single state policy regarding Kaliningrad. He regarded Germany as especially important. Matochkin envisioned Kaliningrad as a free-trade region with significant administrative autonomy.

In 1994 he persuaded Russia to adopt a document emphasizing foreign cooperation, especially with the European Union. Matochkin succeeded in restoring Kaliningrad's special economic zone advantages in January 1996, and also secured the region's first major foreign investment, an agreement with the automobile manufacturer Kia.

Yuri Matochkin contested the 1996 elections for regional governor in 1996, and was defeated in the second round of voting by Leonid Gorbenko. After the election, Gorbenko was subjected to hounding by supporters of Matochkin. It was published in 2009.

Awards

Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 4th degree (18 September 1996) Order of the Red Banner of Labour Medal "Defender of a Free Russia" (22 December 1993) Medal "For Distinction in the Protection of the State Borders" (26 June 1995)