A district court in Russia’s ecologically sensitive Kamchatka region has delivered a decisive blow against environmental transgression, ordering a construction firm to pay a staggering 773 million rubles, equivalent to over $8 million USD, for illegal waste dumping. The ruling by the Yelizovsky District Court fully supported the prosecution’s claim, marking a significant victory for environmental protection in the Far East.
The severe penalty was levied against LLC “DRSU,” a company engaged in critical road infrastructure repairs near the village of Koryaki. Prosecutors detailed how the firm unlawfully disposed of demolition waste from roadworks across an area exceeding one hectare, causing substantial harm to the pristine local environment. This act of negligence prompted a swift response from regional authorities.
The investigation was spearheaded by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Kamchatka Krai, which initially imposed administrative penalties on the company. Specialists then meticulously documented the extent of the damage, employing advanced aerial photography and geodetic measurements to precisely quantify the volume of illegally dumped materials and calculate the resulting environmental fallout. This robust evidence formed the cornerstone of the prosecutor’s subsequent legal action.
While the court has ruled unequivocally in favor of environmental restitution, the decision has not yet formally entered into force, allowing for potential appeals. Nevertheless, authorities are taking proactive steps to ensure compliance. Following a petition from the supervisory body, significant assets belonging to LLC “DRSU,” including vehicles, specialized equipment, and funds held in bank accounts, have been seized. Furthermore, stringent restrictions have been placed on any attempts to liquidate or reorganize the legal entity, safeguarding the execution of the judicial order.
The case also carries broader implications, as local reports from Kamchatka.Today suggest the road construction projects in question were linked to business entities associated with Oleg Kuts, a prominent entrepreneur recently detained. This connection adds another layer of scrutiny to corporate accountability in the region and highlights ongoing efforts to address environmental degradation caused by development projects.