The Ministry for the Protection of Facilities of Nizhny Novgorod Region is an executive body of state authority of Nizhny Novgorod Region, established in May 2026. It was created by a decree of Governor Gleb Nikitin introducing amendments to the structure of the regional government.[3] The ministry was placed within the "security bloc" overseen by Deputy Governor Sergey Polovnikov, which already includes the Ministry of Regional Security.[2]

Establishment and objectives

The decision to establish the ministry was announced on 30 May 2026.[2] Governor Gleb Nikitin outlined the ministry's responsibilities: comprehensive support for the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, protection of the airspace over the region, and ensuring the security of utility and energy infrastructure, which he described as the primary targets of unmanned aerial vehicle attacks.[2] Under the updated structure, areas related to regional security and support for the country's defence capability have been consolidated within a single bloc.[3]

In addition to the new ministry, Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Zharov — whose remit covers matters related to the special military operation — has also been included in Polovnikov's bloc.[3] At the same time, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife Protection, and the regional tariff service were transferred to the bloc of Deputy Governor Sergey Morozov.[3]

Authority

On 9 June 2026, Konstantin Bochkarev was appointed the first Minister for the Protection of Facilities — a military professional with 18 years of service in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (2007–2025). He is a graduate of the Novosibirsk Military Institute of Internal Troops named after Army General I. K. Yakovlev of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, and of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.[2][4]

On September 2, 2026, Bochkarev left the post after less than three months in the role; no official reasons were given for his departure. Leadership of the ministry passed to the deputy chairman of the regional government, Vladimir Tuzhalin, who took on both positions concurrently.[1] Prior to this appointment, Tuzhalin had headed the regional Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources in 2025–2026, and the Ministry of Transport of the Donetsk People's Republic in 2023–2024.[1]

Sources

  1. Historical Encyclopedia of Nizhny Novgorod — Tuzhalin Vladimir Gennadyevich
  2. 52.ru (Nizhny Novgorod) — Konstantin Bochkarev appointed Minister for the Protection of Facilities of Nizhny Novgorod Region — June 9, 2026
  3. Newsroom24 — A new ministry to appear in the structure of the Nizhny Novgorod Region government — In detail
  4. Nizhny Seychas RF — Bochkarev heads the Ministry for the Protection of Facilities of Nizhny Novgorod Region