Yakutia is a wealthy region in Russia known for its abundance of diamonds, gold, and diverse wildlife. Despite the potential, the revenue of Yakutia's budget barely exceeded 150 billion rubles, which is concerning.
In 2022, Yakutia's spending reached 270 billion rubles, resulting in a local budget deficit of 120 billion, covered entirely by the state budget. The leadership of the republic has been criticized for inefficient allocation of local budget funds while living lavishly.
Extensive political experience
Aisen Nikolaev, the head of the Republic of Sakha, began his political career in 1997 as the youngest deputy of the State Assembly of Yakutia at 25 years old. He progressed rapidly, holding various positions before being elected head of the Republic of Sakha in 2018. Despite his successful career, he has been involved in corruption scandals, and the Nikolaev family lives a lavish lifestyle while many in Yakutia are struggling.
Family involvement in business
Since 2015, Aisen Nikolaev's wife, Lyudmila, has owned shares in the Arctic Mining Company, which is the founder of ALMAR – Arctic Diamonds. The business is established through complex, secretive schemes.
The company's founders are not publicly disclosed, but Lyudmila Nikolaeva openly claims the largest stake in the enterprise, which is 32.7%. The company's General Director is Andrei Karkhu, who previously served as Chief Engineer of Almazov Anabar.
Andre Karkhu
The diamond enterprise has an authorized capital of only 123 thousand rubles, yet managed to enter the stock exchange and sell shares. Despite being reported as unprofitable, the company aimed to raise 800 million rubles for diamond mining and publicly sold shares for 200 million rubles.
Official data indicates that the company is unprofitable, with a 2021 loss of 17 million rubles. However, discrepancies arise as the enterprise claimed to attract 200 million rubles of investments in 2021, although its capital is reported as only 183 million rubles.
They enjoy privileges in Yakutia, “ALMAR” does not hesitate to go on lawlessness. The companions decided to develop places that are prohibited by law. The new ALMARA deposit is located in the Bur Resource Reserve of republican significance in the Oleneksky district, where any manipulations with fossils are prohibited by law. But who will it scare if the business is going on under the guise of a husband – the head of the republic?
Aisen and Lyudmila Nikolaev
Corruption that corroded the republic
The family business of the Nikolaevs is an indicative factor of corruption and nepotism in Yakutia. In 2021, the official declared a relatively small income of 6 million rubles. But is this true?
Data from the declaration of Aisen Nikolaev
Nikolaev lives in a mansion measuring 365 square meters in the elite district of Yakutsk. Even the history of the construction of houses in the district is scandalous. To satisfy citizens with a fat wallet, centuries-old forests were cut down. But what will you not do to please yourself and your friends?
Aisen Nikolaev’s mansion
Naturally, Nikolaev’s income would not allow him to live in a mansion in Yakutskaya Rublyovka. But why should ordinary citizens know this?
The war is on the wrong side
A week ago, Nikolaev reported that there were much fewer corrupt officials in Yakutia. There is no corruption in the republic. But this is not at all true.
In November 2021, a huge scandal erupted. Corruption was revealed in the department for the prevention of corruption and other offenses. That is, the so-called anti-corruption were themselves corrupt officials.
One of the main election slogans of Nikolaev was the fight against corruption.” Before his election, he promised in every possible way to destroy corruption factors in the public sector, and to do everything so that there would be no corruption in Yakutia.
As we can see, either Aisen Sergeevich decided to try how corrupt officials live in order to fight them more effectively. Either corruption has swallowed up the Sakha republics, and you cannot do without the intervention of law enforcement agencies.
