Putin Signs Measure Eliminating Mandatory Historical-Cultural Review of Restoration Projects, Opening the Door to the Destruction of Many

Paul Goble

            Staunton, June 13 – One of the few things that has slowed down the actions of developers who frequently seek to destroy historical monuments so they can build something else and make a quick profit was a law that required mandatory state historical-cultural review of any such changes or restoration projects.

            That gave opponents of such actions time to mobilize and even a forum for doing so because these reviews were in almost all cases in public and thus historical preservationists had both the time and the opportunity to intervene and even stop the changes Russian developers have wanted.

             But now Vladimir Putin has signed into law a measure that abolishes this system as of March 2027. Preservations and others are worried and warn that the Kremlin has effectively moved the entire review process “into the shadows” and thus make destruction of historical monuments more likely (nemoskva.net/2026/06/13/v-rossii-otmenili-ekspertizu-proektov-restavraczii-pamyatnikov/).

            In reporting this change, the Not Moscow portal says that “previously, ever single restoration project for a cultural heritage site was subject to mandatory review by independent experts certified by the Russian ministry of culture. Starting any construction or restoration work without their official approval was illegal.”

            “Now, however, this fundamental rule has been completely scrapped,” it continues. “Instead of a comprehensive state review, authorities plan to establish special scientific-methodological councils; but their findings will no longer be binding on officials … effectively leaving architectural landmarks at the mercy of contractors.”

“Heritage advocates point out that the most dangerous aspect of the new reform is the complete loss of public oversight regarding the fate of historic buildings.” The new Putin law will end the requirement that agencies publish the results of inspections and expert views online for ease of public access.

            Just how angry people are is reflected in social media posts. Among those the portal cites are the following: “"A gift to those lousy developers! They railroaded it through, just like the logging around Lake Baikal and the construction projects in specially protected natural areas” and  "Political systems and people come and go, but the old city is eternal”