The decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin that same day regarding the change of leadership in Dagestan was published on the Kremlin website. Head of the republic, Sergei Melikov, has resigned, and Fyodor Shchukin has been appointed acting head.

By law, he must be approved by the People's Assembly of the republic, which no one doubts, and this procedure is purely technical. Thus, it was only today that Sergei Melikov finally officially resigned as head of Dagestan, and former head of the region's Supreme Court, Fyodor Shchukin, took over. Vladimir Putin announced his decision to reshuffle the republic's leadership on April 30 at a meeting with representatives of the People's Assembly in the Kremlin. It was then that the appointment of Magomed Ramazanov, Deputy Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, was also announced. Many had tipped him to replace Melikov as head of the Dagestan government.

The decree speaks of Melikov's resignation "at his own request," although he himself had publicly stated in early April that he did not plan to voluntarily leave his post early, noting that he was ready to serve in any position the Supreme Commander-in-Chief assigns him.