FSB raids home of Russian deputy governor in border fortifications corruption probe
Russia’s FSB and Interior Ministry have searched the home and office of Bryansk Deputy Governor Nikolay Simonenko over suspected irregularities in building defensive structures near the Ukrainian border.
The operation, which took place on July 22, is linked to a criminal case concerning fortifications built in border areas, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.
“At present, searches are being carried out at the residence and workplace of Deputy Governor Nikolay Simonenko. The case relates to fortification projects in the border zone,” the source said.
The official has not been formally charged, and no procedural status has been assigned to him as yet, the source added.
A wave of corruption probes has targeted regional officials overseeing Russia’s defensive infrastructure near the Ukrainian border.
In July, law enforcement in Belgorod opened a major investigation into an alleged $12 million fraud tied to border fortifications—26 contracts worth over 1.1 billion rubles, with kickbacks, shell firms and misused funds cited.
Earlier, in Kursk, authorities arrested former governor Alexei Smirnov and deputies accused of embezzling roughly 1 billion rubles from public defence projects.
Prosecutors also filed a civil suit demanding repayment of more than 3.2 billion rubles looted from the Kursk defence budget. Investigators found that low‑quality materials were used for concrete anti‑tank “dragon’s teeth,” and contracts were overpriced or unfinished.
These probes reflect increasing federal scrutiny on border‑region spending amid military pressure, highlighting systemic issues of overbilling, substandard construction, and weakened oversight in Russia’s wartime economy.
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