In professional settings, you often need to state that an action follows the rules—or boldly defies them. You can express these ideas using the prepositions согласно (according to) and вопреки (contrary to). Both always take the Dative case.
Complying with rules (согласно)
To show that something is done in accordance with regulations, requests, or protocols, use согласно. Notice how masculine nouns take the Dative -у ending (регламент → регламенту) and feminine nouns take -е (просьба → просьбе).
| According to the regulation, we must complete the procedure by Monday. | Согласно регламенту, мы должны завершить процедуру к понедельнику. |
| According to your request, we signed the contract yesterday. | Согласно вашей просьбе, мы вчера подписали договор. |
Defying expectations (вопреки)
Use вопреки when actions go against logic, instructions, or official policies.
| Contrary to logic and common sense, he did not sign the contract. | Вопреки логике и здравому смыслу, он не подписал договор. |
| Contrary to the charter, the director approved the new project. | Вопреки уставу, директор одобрил новый проект. |
"Could not help but..."
To express that someone "could not help but" do something (whether complying or defying), Russian uses a double negative: the past tense of не мочь (could not) + не + an infinitive (literally, "could not not").
| We could not help but start the procedure according to your instruction. | Мы не могли не начать процедуру согласно вашему указанию. |
| She could not help but come to the office contrary to the doctor's recommendations. | Она не могла не приехать в офис вопреки рекомендациям врача. |
