Russian deputy governor charged with embezzlement and bribery

Russia’s Investigative Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has completed its probe into the theft of budget funds during the construction of fortifications along the border with Ukraine. Rustem Zaynullin, Deputy Governor of Belgorod Oblast, has been formally charged—not with the previously alleged fraud, but with large-scale embezzlement and accepting bribes of an especially large amount.

According to RBC sources, the indictment was approved on March 20 by First Deputy Prosecutor General Anatoliy Razinkin. The case will soon be referred to court.

Investigators allege that since October 2022, Zaynullin, entrepreneur Sergey Petryakov, and other defendants organised a scheme to misappropriate funds through government contracts for defensive construction projects.

Contracts were concluded between the regional Ministry of Construction and the capital construction administration, then passed on to companies Region Sibir and Stroyinvestrezerv, which investigators claim lacked the resources to carry out the work.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, more than 123.2 million rubles were embezzled between 2023 and early 2025.

Investigators assert that Zaynullin received kickbacks for providing protection—around 5% of contract amounts (up to 7% including intermediaries). In March–April 2023, he allegedly received 11.83 million rubles.