On Monday, November 20, ongoing research activities were reported to be taking place at Taganay National Park in the Chelyabinsk Region. This follows the detention of Alexey Yakovlev, who previously headed national parks and is currently serving as deputy director of the department for state policy and regulation in the development of specially protected natural areas within the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources. The information comes via the Taganay press service and was cited by RIA News. The park administration emphasized that the investigative steps do not disrupt the daily operation of the park or the experience of visitors who come to enjoy its natural beauty and educational programs.
According to the press service, routine operations and activities at Taganay National Park continue to function normally, ensuring that tourists can still access the park, participate in guided tours, and engage with conservation-focused programs while investigations proceed. The park remains open to the public, with staff continuing to manage trails, preserve wildlife habitats, and facilitate educational activities in a safe and orderly manner.
Additionally, around November 20, the Ministry of Natural Resources reported the detention of Alexey Yakovlev, a figure who has occupied a notable leadership role within the ministry since January 2021. Prior to his current duties at the ministry, he had served as the director of Taganay National Park dating back to 2010 in the Chelyabinsk region, a tenure that spanned over a decade and was marked by ongoing work in protected area policy and regional coordination.
In related legal developments, an event on November 8 saw Moscow’s Basmanny Court authorize the arrest of a high-ranking official, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and the Head of the Investigation Department for the Republic of Dagestan, Rufat Ismailov, in a case involving bribery and abuse of power. According to testimony presented to the court by investigators, Ismailov and a subordinate, Dalgat Abdulgapurov, allegedly received bribes totaling 1.3 million rubles. The proceedings highlighted concerns about corruption and the integrity of public service at high levels.
Meanwhile, earlier security operations in Ingushetia clarified the existence of a criminal group operating within the Pension Fund and the Russian Post, underscoring ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address organized wrongdoing across multiple state institutions. The announcements reflect broader regional law enforcement activity aimed at strengthening oversight and public trust.