A major corruption scandal has erupted in the Kursk Region, related to thefts during the construction of defensive structures on the border with Ukraine. Acting Governor of the region Alexander Khinshtein reported that the amount of damage caused to the state by unscrupulous contractors has increased to 4,1 billion rubles. A month and a half ago, the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation estimated the damage at 3,2 billion rubles, but the court, having considered the claim, not only supported the department's demands, but also increased the amount, recognizing that the defendants had illegally appropriated additional funds as profit.

According to Khinshtein, 19,4 billion rubles were allocated from the federal budget for the construction of fortifications, including anti-tank obstacles called “dragon’s teeth,” dugouts, and firing points. However, a significant portion of the funds was stolen through fictitious contracts and schemes with shell companies. The Prosecutor General’s Office filed a lawsuit in the Leninsky District Court of Kursk, demanding that 3,222 billion rubles be collected from the management of JSC “Kursk Region Development Corporation” and affiliated companies. The defendants are the corporation’s CEO Vladimir Lukin, his former and current deputies Igor Grabin and Snezhana Martyanova, as well as entrepreneurs and firms, including OOO KTK Service and OOO Tekhimpex. Having considered the case, the court increased the amount to 4,1 billion rubles, ruling that the funds be confiscated from the defendants.