Russia's Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Fled to the USA via Minsk
This is the first time a sitting official of such a high level has fled Russia.
Denis Butsayev. Photo Kremlin.ru
On April 22, Prime Minister Mishustin dismissed Denis Butsayev from the post of Deputy Head of the Ministry of Natural Resources. The informed Russian publication "Vedomosti" claims that Butsayev left Russia via Minsk on the same day.
In the past, this official held the position of head of the Russian Environmental Operator (REO). At the end of April, anonymous Telegram channels reported that a case had been initiated against the current director of REO. According to "Vedomosti", criminal cases were initiated against two other top managers of REO, and Butsayev himself is mentioned in the case materials.
According to a source from another Russian publication, Faridaily, Butsayev fled Russia on April 18, and the decree on his resignation was signed after his departure.
"According to our interlocutors, Butsayev hastily left for Minsk, and from there to Tbilisi. As a result, the official reached the USA, two sources heard," Faridaily writes.
The publication notes that this is the first known case of a sitting official of such a level fleeing Russia. It is also the first case since 2024 where a civil servant managed to escape criminal prosecution.
"[Butsayev] was lucky to have friends who warned him in time," the independent Russian publication "Astra" quotes a source.
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