In Chita a new Lada Granta was awarded as the main prize of a festive lottery timed for the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity. The car unexpectedly went to Nikolay Gurulev, a staff member of the regional Ministry of Culture who had been in charge of organizing the celebration. The ministry explained that he entered the draw on the same conditions as other participants because he is married and has children, but the surge of online criticism eventually forced the winner to refuse the vehicle.

Social media users expressed strong disapproval over the incident, calling it a conflict of interest. Many comments highlighted the appearance of impropriety when officials are both organizers and contestants in public events. Others argued that the public reaction showed growing demand for transparency in regional celebrations.

According to experts, the case illustrates the risks of allowing event organizers to compete in prize draws they supervise. Such situations can quickly damage public trust, regardless of the formal equality of participation. Analysts note that clear legal prohibitions, like the upcoming ban on ministry staff taking part in contests, are needed to prevent similar scandals in the future.

The authorities responded by holding a second live draw using a random‑number generator, which awarded the car to a large family. The head of the ministry, Aliona Iachmenjova, announced that next year’s festive events will bar organizers from entering any competitions. The story has sparked broader discussion about ethical standards for public servants involved in community activities.

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