Russia’s ‘Red Book’ exists to keep rare species alive. After September 1, builders who claim ‘no other site available’ get a legal green light to wipe one out.

The independent Russian data project “To Be Precise” has published an article explaining how Russia’s “Red Book” is compiled, why it exists, and why it periodically touches off scandals.

We’re retelling it here, with a few examples and details of our own. ...