Despite the lawsuit history between the two , after Luzhkov ’s dismissal Boris Nemtsov said : ‘ I ca n’t help feeling that the current investigation is more of a revenge against Luzhkov and Baturina , and not an attempt to restore a lawful situation . I am absolutely convinced that the main task here is raiding with the help of the State . The goal is to take Baturina 's business from her for a pittance . And criminal cases are just the way to do it . It 's disgusting to take part in marauding , and I will never do it . Thus , the story of my conflict with Baturina is from now one completely over . " Luzhkov was dismissed by President Medvedev on 28 September 2010 , after returning from a holiday in Austria , citing " loss of trust " , a traditional Russian legal formula for dishonorable dismissal . In recent years , the Kremlin had consistently been replacing old regional heads , elected already during Boris Yeltsin 's time , with younger candidates . Pundits had been predicting Luzhkov 's imminent ousting for years . The September 2010 dismissal followed weeks of speculation regarding Luzhkov 's position , caused by his questioning of Medvedev 's leadership . Luzhkov had recently criticised Medvedev 's decision to halt the construction of a new highway through the Khimki Forest amid protests by environmentalists . Luzkhov had also called for a " stronger leadership " of Russia . Government-controlled television channels had run programmes criticising Luzhkov 's handling of the 2010 summer peat fires and accused him and his wife of corruption . Some observers have seen this as being part of a struggle between Medvedev and then-Prime Minister Putin . Luzhkov has officially declared that he has left the United Russia party . Luzhkov had sent a letter to the President on the 27th of September criticising Medvedev 's policy and his administration 's actions . According to the President 's press-secretary Medvedev read the letter after the decision had been made but it would not have affected his decision in any case
2010 summer peat fires
2010 Russian wildfires
Yury Luzhkov