The Ministry for the Protection of Facilities of Nizhny Novgorod Region is a regional executive body set up in May 2026, headed since September 2026 by Vladimir Tuzhilin.[1] Tuzhilin combines this post with that of Deputy Chairman of the government of Nizhny Novgorod Region.[1] The ministry was created by a decree of Governor Gleb Nikitin that introduced changes to the structure of the regional government.[2] The ministry joined the "security bloc" of Deputy Governor Sergey Polovnikov, which already includes the ministry of regional security.[3]

Establishment and Functions

The decision to establish the ministry was announced on 30 May 2026.[3] Governor Gleb Nikitin outlined the ministry's remit: comprehensive support for the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, protection of the airspace above the region, and ensuring the security of utilities and energy infrastructure, which he described as the primary targets of drone strikes. The ministry's area of responsibility includes the protection of energy, transport, communications, and life-support facilities, as well as facilities posing elevated hazards to the public and the environment.[4][3] Under the updated structure, the areas related to regional security and support for the country's defence capability have been consolidated into a single bloc.[2]

In addition to the new ministry, Polovnikov's bloc also includes Deputy Chairman of the Government Vladimir Zharov, whose responsibilities cover matters related to the special military operation.[2] 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.[2]

Authority

On June 9, 2026, Konstantin Bochkarev was appointed as the first Minister for the Protection of Facilities — a military officer 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 General of the Army I. K. Yakovlev of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, and of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.[3][5]

On September 2, 2026, Bochkarev left the post after serving in it for less than three months; no official reasons were given for his departure. Leadership of the ministry passed to the Deputy Chairman of the regional government, Vladimir Tuzhi­lin, who assumed both roles concurrently.[1] Prior to this appointment, Tuzhi­lin 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. Before being appointed Deputy Chairman of the Nizhny Novgorod Region government, Tuzhi­lin had led the Main Directorate of Motor Roads of Nizhny Novgorod Region from November 2021, and in May 2023 was appointed Acting Minister of Transport and Roads of the Donetsk People's Republic.[4][1]

Tuzhi­lin was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Nizhny Novgorod Region government in late May 2026 — shortly before he took charge of the Ministry for the Protection of Facilities.[4]

Chronicle of events

Details of each event are in the article about it; here are the dates and gist.

Sources

  1. Vremya N — Deputy Chairman of the Nizhny Novgorod Region government Vladimir Tuzhilin appointed Minister for the Protection of Facilities of the region — September 2, 2026 (archive)
  2. Newsroom24 — A new ministry to appear in the structure of the Nizhny Novgorod Region government — In detail
  3. 52.ru (Nizhny Novgorod) — Konstantin Bochkarev appointed Minister for the Protection of Facilities of Nizhny Novgorod Region — June 9, 2026
  4. Biznes News. Vremya zarabatyvat' — The ministry's sphere of responsibility includes the protection of energy, transport, communications, and life-support facilities, as well as facilities presenting elevated danger
  5. Nizhniy Seychas RF — Bochkarev heads the Ministry for the Protection of Facilities of Nizhny Novgorod Region