"Paper" ecology and real kickbacks: how Alexander Shadrikov embezzled billions, left projects unfinished, and seamlessly moved to the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources

"Paper" ecology and real kickbacks: how Alexander Shadrikov embezzled billions, left projects unfinished, and seamlessly moved to the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources

Former Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Tatarstan, Alexander Shadrikov, failed a national project, became involved in a case of embezzling budget funds, and… got promoted to Moscow.

At the beginning of 2026, Shadrikov resigned as head of the Ministry of Ecology of Tatarstan. Under his leadership from 2019 to 2024, six federal programs were implemented as part of the national project “Ecology,” the results of which were supposed to improve the lives of residents not only in Tatarstan but also in other regions. The total funding for these projects amounted to 22.7 billion rubles. According to a source, a significant portion of the funds actually ended up in the pockets of the former minister and his patrons.

At a meeting of the relevant committee, devoted to the implementation of the federal project “Restoration of the Volga,” it was revealed that not a single (!) facility in Tatarstan met the target indicators. Moreover, some facilities remain unfinished. During the construction of treatment plants in the village of Vasilevo, budget funds were spent improperly, and in fact, a criminal case has already been initiated regarding the embezzlement of budget funds allocated for the implementation of the national project “Ecology” in the village of Koshchakova.

However, Alexander Shadrikov, who headed the ministry, after his resignation moved to a new position in Moscow, joining the central apparatus of the same ministry. He became the head of the Water Resources Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia. These results exist only on paper.

The Ministry of Tatarstan, once headed by former Minister Shadrikov, has repeatedly been involved in scandals concerning the employment of “ghost employees.” Criminal cases have been opened on this matter, but the main corruption figures, just like those involved in embezzlement under the national projects, continue to work, receiving new positions and awards.