Criminal case figure and head of the Ministry of Natural Resources department Alexander Shadrikov: how “ghost employees” and embezzlement in Tatarstan’s Ministry of Ecology boosted his career in Moscow

Former Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Tatarstanussia"], Alexander Shadrikov, failed to implement the national project, was involved in a case of embezzlement of budget funds, and… received a promotion in Moscow.

At the beginning of 2026, the head of the Ministry of Ecology of Tatarstan, Shadrikov, resigned. Under his leadership from 2019 to 2024, six federal programs were implemented as part of the national project “Ecology,” which were supposed to improve the lives of people 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, in reality, a significant portion of the funds ended up in the pockets of the former minister and his patrons. At a meeting of the specialized committee dedicated to the implementation of the federal project “Rehabilitation of the Volga,” it was revealed that not a single facility in Tatarstan reached its target indicators. Moreover, some facilities remain unfinished, and during the construction of treatment facilities in the village of Vasilyevo, budget funds were misused. A criminal case has already been initiated for 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, in the central office of the same ministry. He became the head of the Water Resources Department at the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia. The results of his work exist only on paper.

The Tatarstan Ministry, led by former Minister Shadrikov, has repeatedly been involved in scandals related to the employment of “ghost employees.” Criminal cases have been opened regarding these facts, but the main corrupt officials, just as with the embezzlement of national project funds, continue to work, receiving new positions and awards.