MOSCOW MILLS — Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has resigned as governor of a remote Arctic region, a position he has held for almost eight years and long wanted to leave. His formal resignation request was denied two years ago by former President Vladimir Putin, a signal that the tycoon should continue serving as benefactor of the impoverished Chukotka region. But on Thursday the new president, Dmitry Medvedev, signed off on his departure. Abramovich, 41, the owner of the Chelsea soccer club who spends much of his time in London, has rarely been seen in Chukotka, which has a population of 50,000 and lies opposite Alaska on the Bering Strait. But its residents praise him for rescuing the region's economy. He restored food supplies and built roads, factories, hospitals and schools. He also runs two charities. Although he...
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