Russia has adopted a law that, starting on March 1, 2027, abolishes the mandatory state historical and cultural review of restoration projects. The amendments were pushed through the State Duma at the end of May, and Putin signed them just two weeks later. For a country that has spent decades using architectural heritage as a propaganda tool, this looks like the destruction of even that façade.
Until now, any restoration project involving a cultural heritage site had to undergo review by independent experts certified by the Ministry of Culture — scholars, historians, art historians, and architects. Without their approval, it was illegal to begin any work. That requirement has now been eliminated. Instead of a full-fledged expert review, the authorities plan to create so-called “scientific and methodological councils,” whose conclusions officials will be free to ignore. State heritage protection bodies will no longer approve projects, and contractors will effectively receive a free hand.
The most dangerous aspect of the reform is not even that. Existing legislation required agencies to publish the results of all inspections and expert reviews in the public domain. Thanks to this, local historians and concerned residents could spot plans to cover a historic mansion with siding or demolish it altogether and raise public awareness through the media. From the spring of 2027 onward, finding out what developers intend to do with a historic building will become virtually impossible.
Architects and activists reacted sharply. Many citizens are convinced that the law was lobbied for by major developers who had long been frustrated by restrictions on rebuilding historic districts. In a country where corruption in the construction sector has long been the norm, the disappearance of independent oversight of architectural monuments means one thing: whatever has not been demolished by 2027 may well be demolished afterward.
