Right before New Year’s, I wrote about Zenit Arena.
About how an additional 1 billion rubles was illegally allocated to a stadium that had already been formally declared complete, through a sham tender. The official justification was an “emergency situation.”
Though what kind of emergency is that? “They stole everything” is a completely standard situation.
And now, after my post, Zenit Arena has been allocated... another 2 billion rubles. On Friday evening, right before New Year’s. That’s why everyone only noticed it today.
Once again, without any tender or competition. Once again, justified by some supposed “emergency situation.”
Once again, the money is being paid 100% upfront—a dream public procurement deal. Where else have you ever seen that?
In the description of the work, we read: Carrying out a set of additional works, including those related to implementing the requirements of the security agencies, approved by Resolution No. 485 of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 20 May 2015, at the site.
So there were certain requirements from the “security agencies.” They were approved back in May 2015, two years ago.
And only now they SUDDENLY discovered that they had forgotten to finish this? The amount is enormous, and there must be a huge volume of work involved. How could anyone forget something like that?
In other words—and I’m 100% sure of this—they didn’t forget; they stole it, and now they’re patching yet another hole at the moment when the theft can no longer be concealed.
And if they really did forget, then at least tell us who did. Maybe fire these people, no? They don’t seem to be very good builders. But no, no one is punished, and they aren’t even looking for those responsible.
To be completely convinced that all of this is fraud and theft, you can look at the procurement file for the design documentation, working drawings, and other required materials..
...oops... none of that is there. None of it at all. The only justification for this gigantic 2 billion ruble contract is a cost estimate on a single A4 page.
When you ask for printer paper for your department, you probably attach more substantial justification than these officials did for 2 billion rubles from the budget.
And nothing will happen—they’ll write off another 2 billion rubles taken from our pockets. Small change, apparently (even though in normal countries, those 2 billion rubles alone would be enough to build a decent stadium).
The eternal Russian spectacle of “unheard-of generosity.” And during these very same days, entire towns are being cut off from heating.
Subscribe, and together we’ll drive this gang out.