The damage from illegal logging in the Nizhny Novgorod region has exceeded 6 million.

      April 2, 2026 10:52 Incidents The damage from crimes in the field of forestry in the Nizhny Novgorod region exceeded 6 million rubles in 2025. This was reported at a briefing by Anna Kosonogova, an investigator from the control and methodological department for economic crimes of the Main Investigative Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the region. According to the agency, 42 criminal cases were initiated over the year regarding illegal logging of forest plantations. Investigators had 55 criminal cases in progress concerning 67 crimes stipulated by Article 260 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. 24 criminal cases were sent to court, and 25 individuals were held accountable. There were no cases dismissed on rehabilitating grounds or acquittals for such crimes. One criminal case was also initiated under Article 191.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, related to the illegal turnover of timber, which was predicated on the crime of illegal logging. "The amount of damage caused in completed criminal cases amounted to more than six million rubles, of which over 2.5 million rubles were voluntarily compensated at the investigation stage, and an arrest was imposed on an amount exceeding five million rubles. The share of compensated material damage in completed cases, taking into account the arrest, was 129%," noted Anna Kosonogova. As an example of an investigation, a criminal case against a 44-year-old resident of the Semyonovsky district was cited. According to the investigation, in August 2025, he illegally cut down 10 pines on the territory of the Khakhal forestry, sawed the wood, and transported it to his home. The damage amounted to over 667 thousand rubles. His vehicle, valued at 760 thousand rubles, was seized. In February of this year, the court found the Nizhny Novgorod resident guilty under part 3 of Article 260 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and sentenced him to one year of conditional imprisonment with a probation period of one year. Another similar crime was committed in July 2024 by a resident of the Bogorodsky district. He illegally cut down 12 pines, causing damage exceeding 318 thousand rubles. During the investigation, the damage was fully compensated. In April 2025, he received a two-year conditional sentence with a probation period of 1.6 years. Let us remind you that there is a strict ban on cutting down trees in Russia without special permission, even if the tree is on private property. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+