Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetsov is suspected of receiving a large bribe. Last month, the deputy defense minister in charge of real estate projects was arrested.
MOSCOW The personnel manager of the Russian Ministry of Defense is accused of accepting a large-scale bribe. At the request of the director of the investigation, the court has appointed Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetsov pre-trial detention.
This is already the second major corruption suspicion in the ministry this year. Last month, the deputy minister was arrested Timur Ivanovwho was responsible for the ministry’s real estate and construction projects.
Ivanov was known as a minister Sergei Shoigun as an ally and protégé. The investigation of Ivanov, known for his luxurious lifestyle, has been seen as a sign of a power struggle in the Russian administration.
Last Sunday, the President Vladimir Putin announced that Šoigu will take over as secretary general of the Security Council and will be replaced by the deputy prime minister of the previous government, an economist Andrei Belousov.
Money and valuables were found during home searches
The public has previously reported that two deputy ministers who worked under Šoigu have already asked to resign.
The new criminal charge raises suspicions that some kind of purge may be underway in the ministry.
According to Shoigu’s critics, the Russian army’s difficulties in the war of aggression in Ukraine are due to the corruption of the Ministry of Defense.
Russian State Investigative Committee by Kuznetsov received a bribe from a commercial entity while working in 2021–23 as the supervisor of the 8th Department of the General Staff.
The service for securing state secrets operates under it, which is responsible for, among other things, encryption technology.
According to the investigation committee, cash worth more than 100 million rubles, or about one million euros, as well as gold coins, valuable watches and other luxury goods were found in Kuznetsov’s apartments during the house search.
The nomination round continues
Previously worked as Secretary General of the Security Council Nikolai Patrushev will become assistant to the president.
Part of Putin’s inner circle, Patrushev headed the security service FSB from 1999 to 2008. He is known as a hard line representative.
Patrushev therefore remains close to Putin, so it is still difficult to judge whether the transfer can be considered a demotion or a promotion from his point of view.
The current governor of Tula will also become the president’s assistant Nikolai Djumin, who previously served as Putin’s bodyguard. Djumin has been considered a rising star in the Russian power elite.