Commentators doubted the prospects of Shchukin's fight against corruption.

Acting head of Dagestan Fyodor Shchukin instructed his subordinates to combat budgetary fraud. Social media users, commenting on Shchukin's statement, demanded punishment for those guilty of bribery and embezzlement, as well as a review of budget expenditures.

A video in which the acting head of Dagestan Fyodor Shchukin instructed his subordinates to combat budgetary fraud was published on August 20 by the Instagram*-public makhachkala_.

In the footage, Shchukin holds a meeting of the anti-corruption commission. "Pay close attention to the issue of dead souls, that practice which exists in many municipalities and organizations <…>. Inflated amounts, contracts, prices of goods, services, completed works, subsidy issues. Where the state allocates real money to support those sectors that require development in our republic, they either do not reach their destination or arrive with huge violations," said the acting head of Dagestan.

This post in the Instagram*-public makhachkala_, which has about 249 thousand followers, had received 277 likes and 73 comments by 12:55 MSK on August 22.

Commentators, identifying themselves as residents of Dagestan, doubted that Shchukin's statements would lead to a real fight against corruption. "Finally. At least we heard this in words," sarcastically noted 1633elmira.

"At first, everyone says that," remarked gabibullaaaa.

"I find it hard to believe. If you manage to do this, we will be glad," wrote kazimbek39.

Users called for a review of budget expenditures and the receipt of government support. "It is almost impossible to get a social contract in Dagestan; in other regions, they find those in need and help with the paperwork," pointed out arsen60105.

"I also wanted to take a government contract; they always say there is no money. What is this at all? I fall under this category. There is always no money, so where is it then?" asked user so_vas1_1.

"Check the hospitals in Makhachkala. Some have not received bonuses for years, and the staff is afraid to say anything; they are threatened with dismissal," complained madinka__amir.

Commentators demanded specific results from Shchukin in the fight against corruption. "When will you start already?" asked roza_maksumova.

"They will be caught if you imprison those who steal," stated user boos_1253.

"There is no need to explain anything to those who have already worked under previous leaders; it is useless. They will not be able to refrain from stealing. Completely replace everyone and put in new, competent people," suggested abakarov.ramazan.sw.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that Dagestani officials and civil servants regularly become defendants in various corruption cases. For instance, on July 28, a court sentenced former Deputy Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Dagestan Rufat Ismailov to 15 years in prison for bribery.

On March 25, it became known that the Deputy Head of the Kurakh District was suspected of exceeding official authority. According to the investigation, he illegally disposed of funds from the district administration's reserve fund.