Fraud case opened over soil from new metro stations
After the detention of the leadership of the TsBI company («Tsementno-betonnye izdeliya» or Cement-Concrete Products), investigators opened a criminal case on fraud on an especially large scale. It is related to soil removed from under-construction metro stations, including «Putilovskaya» and the previously attention-grabbing «Teatralnaya».
Searches were conducted in connection with violations during the reclamation of the «Vorontsovskoye-2» quarry in Leningrad Oblast. According to the investigation, a reclamation plan was never developed, and waste, including second-class hazardous waste, was brought to the site.
On 22 January, police reported the opening of a criminal case on large-scale fraud. The soil, which was supposed to be disposed of, was supplied under contracts with «Metrostroy Severnoy Stolitsy» (Metro Construction of the Northern Capital). Instead of disposal, fifth-class hazardous waste was stored at the quarry, and payment was received as for full processing.
This concerns soil from two under-construction metro lines: Nevsko-Vasileostrovskaya and Krasnoselsko-Kalininskaya. However, the contracts relate to the period of construction of the first stations of the sixth line – «Putilovskaya» and «Yugo-Zapadnaya», which opened in 2025.
Agreements between «Metrostroy Severnoy Stolitsy» and TsBI were concluded from 2023 to 2025. The total amount under ten contracts amounted to 382 million rubles (approximately $4.24 million at current rates). The documents featured various formulations: soil disposal, its transportation, or transfer to TsBI facilities.
During tenders, rates were published. For example, transportation of uncontaminated soil was estimated at 600 rubles per cubic meter, and its disposal – at 110 rubles. For wet soil, prices were 1,500 and 240 rubles, respectively.
The Investigative Committee for Leningrad Oblast claims that the waste was not disposed of but buried at a quarry covering 200 hectares. At the same time, all necessary documents were processed, allowing for payment to be received. «Metrostroy» itself stated that it was not aware of possible violations.
The new case differs from the scandal around the «Teatralnaya» station, where a criminal case was opened in 2025. Then, the figure was the deputy general director of «Metrostroy Severnoy Stolitsy» Alexey Khrenov. He was charged with fraud amounting to 2.5 million rubles (approximately $27,800).
The amounts in the two cases differ radically: 2.5 million rubles versus 382 million. If the case with Khrenov was perceived as a misunderstanding, the situation with TsBI is seen as a serious blow to a major market player.
Funds for soil disposal were allocated from the federal budget as part of infrastructure loans for the construction of the «Gorny Institut», «Putilovskaya», and «Yugo-Zapadnaya» stations.
«Metrostroy Severnoy Stolitsy» refused to comment on this matter.
According to procurement data, fifth-class hazardous waste was primarily sent to TsBI facilities, and fourth-class waste – to the «Marta-Modul 8» landfill.
In the initial project documentation for the construction of the green line to «Kamenka», all waste was subject to disposal. For this, four sites were chosen, including «Vorontsovskoye-2». When choosing, transportation distance and cost were taken into account.
As a result, soil with natural moisture was planned to be sent to LLC «Ekotekhnologii», and with moisture over 40% – divided between this company and TsBI. Later, the scheme apparently changed.
In the estimate for the construction of inclined passages for four new stations of the brown line, the cost of disposing of a cubic meter of soil is estimated at 221 rubles. With a volume of 45 thousand cubic meters, the costs will be less than 10 million rubles.
