Investigation Uncovers Corruption in Border Defense Fund Mismanagement by Bryansk Vice Governor

Law enforcement in the western Bryansk region has charged Vice Governor Nikolai Simonenko with abuse of power after conducting searches at his home and office as part of an investigation into corruption linked to the construction of border fortifications, according to state media reports.

A police source informed the TASS news agency that Simonenko, along with Yevgeny Zhura, who heads the regional housing renovation fund, is accused of misappropriating public funds designated for defense infrastructure. As the deputy governor responsible for administrative and organizational issues, Simonenko was in charge of overseeing the regional construction department’s activities.

“It has been confirmed that Simonenko, Zhura, and their associates, knowing that the contractor had not completed the project in full, exploited their authority to authorize the construction, inflicting financial damage on the regional budget,” the police source stated.

The estimated financial loss to the state exceeds 818 million rubles (approximately $10.45 million).

Reports indicate that Simonenko has been arrested and is likely to be taken to Moscow, where a court will decide on pre-trial measures.

Authorities have not yet made any public statements regarding the media reports.

Earlier on Tuesday, officials from the Interior Ministry’s financial crimes and anti-corruption unit, along with the Federal Security Service (FSB), conducted searches at Simonenko’s residence and workplace, as reported by TASS.

His arrest occurs amid expanding investigations into alleged corruption related to the construction of border defenses in nearby Kursk and Belgorod regions.

Ukrainian forces temporarily took control of parts of the Kursk region during their invasion in August 2024, despite Russia’s significant investments in border fortifications. This incursion raised concerns about the effectiveness and oversight of the construction efforts.

Several officials in Kursk, including former Governor Alexei Smirnov, have been charged with misappropriating funds meant for defense projects. Another ex-governor, Roman Starovoit, was reportedly facing charges before his death outside Moscow earlier this month.