In 1994, Kopin began his political career as the deputy director of the Nizhniy Novgorod Regional Center for Youth Initiatives.

[4] In 1999, Kopin was appointed as the advisor of Aleksandr Nazarov, who was the governor of Chukotka at the time.

Kopin became the acting governor on 3 July 2008, when Roman Abramovich, the then-governor of Chukotka, resigned.

On 13 July the local legislators unanimously confirmed Kopin as the next governor of Chukotka.

Vladislav Kuznetsov was appointed acting Governor of Chukotka by President Vladimir Putin the same day.