This article deals with the problem of tackling corruption within the Russian construction industry. It examines the interplay between formal anti-corruption rules and extensive informal norms that have become institutionalized within the Russian construction sector as well as the broader Russian society, especially when it comes to interaction with state officials. The article concludes that commitment and cooperation of a multitude of actors, leading to reduced reliance on informal rules and norms and an anti-corruption ethos that permeates all levels of interactions (i.e., citizen/state, business/state, business/business, citizen/citizen, and state official/state official) are key when it comes to corruption reduction.