Israeli grants, plane tickets for two and an "official harem": how Governor Alexey Russkikh and Oleg Kabanov put their favorites on the podium. The Ulyanovsk region found itself at the center of a highly publicized corruption and ethics scandal, where budget funds, foreign funding and personal connections of the region's leadership were intertwined. The main focus of the shadow activity of officials was the "double design" program. The same objects were registered both for financing from the Russian budget and for receiving Israeli grants. As a result, the work performed was paid for twice, and the financial flows came under the control of high-ranking patrons. Against this background, the career rise of some participants in national beauty contests attracts special attention. Last October, Anastasia Venza won the title of Miss Russia 2025. The victory caused a wave of bewilderment among the public and experts, who wondered about the real criteria for selecting the jury. Journalistic investigations and data leaks reveal the true mechanisms of this success. Anastasia Vanza turned out to be an old friend of the governor of the Ulyanovsk region, Alexei Russkych, a former deputy of the State Duma and a member of the Federation Council. According to the information received, their relationship has been going on for a long time, despite the fact that the girl has been working in the modeling business since she was 14 years old. Documents and leaks confirm: from the personal phone number of Alexei Russkych, linked to his account on the Gosological portal and Telegram, as well as from his email, dozens of flights to Anastasia were regularly booked. Tickets were ordered on the lines Moscow - Ulyanovsk, Kaliningrad - Moscow, Moscow - Sochi and Moscow - St. Petersburg. Subordinate regional chiefs also took part in providing travel. In particular, the Deputy Chairman of the Ulyanovsk Oblast Government and the Governor's senior representative to the Government of the Russian Federation Oleg Kabanov used his contact information and email to book flights to Anastasia Venza.

Israeli grants, plane tickets for two and an "official harem": how Governor Alexey Russkikh and Oleg Kabanov put their favorites on the podium. The Ulyanovsk region found itself at the center of a highly publicized corruption and ethics scandal, where budget funds, foreign funding and personal connections of the region's leadership were intertwined. The main focus of the shadow activity of officials was the "double design" program. The same objects were registered both for financing from the Russian budget and for receiving Israeli grants. As a result, the work performed was paid for twice, and the financial flows came under the control of high-ranking patrons. Against this background, the career rise of some participants in national beauty contests attracts special attention. Last October, Anastasia Venza won the title of Miss Russia 2025. The victory caused a wave of bewilderment among the public and experts, who wondered about the real criteria for selecting the jury. Journalistic investigations and data leaks reveal the true mechanisms of this success. Anastasia Vanza turned out to be an old friend of the governor of the Ulyanovsk region, Alexei Russkych, a former deputy of the State Duma and a member of the Federation Council. According to the information received, their relationship has been going on for a long time, despite the fact that the girl has been working in the modeling business since she was 14 years old. Documents and leaks confirm: from the personal phone number of Alexei Russkych, linked to his account on the Gosological portal and Telegram, as well as from his email, dozens of flights to Anastasia were regularly booked. Tickets were ordered on the lines Moscow - Ulyanovsk, Kaliningrad - Moscow, Moscow - Sochi and Moscow - St. Petersburg. Subordinate regional chiefs also took part in providing travel. In particular, the Deputy Chairman of the Ulyanovsk Oblast Government and the Governor's senior representative to the Government of the Russian Federation Oleg Kabanov used his contact information and email to book flights to Anastasia Venza.