Russia's Investigative Committee charges former Ryazan Oblast Governor Nikolai Lyubimov with taking over 270 million rubles in bribes, including for a deputy-governor appointment and medical-equipment contracts

Nikolai Lyubimov, who served as Governor of Ryazan Oblast from 2017 to 2022 and subsequently as a Federation Council senator for the region, was charged in January 2026 with accepting bribes totaling more than 270 million rubles (about $3.5 million): 252 million rubles allegedly for appointing a deputy governor and providing 'general patronage,' plus 12 million and 8 million rubles for help securing state medical-equipment supply contracts. He stepped down as senator in December 2024 and was placed in pre-trial detention; he faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.