Morshansk Man Sentenced for Illegal Maple Felling

The court in Morshansk municipal district sentenced a 60-year-old local resident to two years of suspended imprisonment. The probation period is also two years under the article on illegal logging of forest plantations on an especially large scale. The incident occurred at the end of December 2024 in the village of Novotomnikovo. The man cut down a maple tree to prepare firewood, then transported it on his personal tractor to his home. A criminal case was opened in June 2025, and it was solved by criminal investigation officers. An investigative team arrived at the scene, discovered the stump of the felled maple, and took a wood sample for expert examination.

Experts determined that the man«s actions caused material damage to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Tambov Oblast in the amount of 344,741 rubles (approximately $3,800 at current rates). In court, the defendant fully admitted guilt and repented. In addition to the suspended sentence, the convicted person was ordered to pay 340,741 rubles (approximately $3,800) as compensation for damages. The chainsaw used for the felling will be confiscated to state revenue, and the harvested timber will be sold, with proceeds directed to the district budget.