Modernization reforms in Russian universities over the past 20 years have, among other things, led to the replacement of university leader elections with direct appointment. Although over half of the public universities in Russia still elect their academic leaders, the competitiveness of these elections is debatable. Using a sample of Russian universities, this paper shows that the remaining elections are not competitive and that the government engages in differential policy toward universities, being more likely to appoint rectors at leading institutions in order to increase its control over these institutions.