Russian Deputy Defence Minister, One Of The Key Planners Of Ukraine War, Detained On Bribery Charges

Russian deputy defence minister Timur Ivanov, who is one of the key architects of the so-called Russian military operation in Ukraine, was detained for allegedly taking a bribe worth 1 million rubles (approx. $10,800), US-broadcaster CNN said in a report, citing the Russian Investigative Committee and state media outlet TASS.

“The investigation believes that Ivanov entered into a criminal conspiracy with third parties, teamed up with them in advance to commit an organised crime by an organised group,” the court service said.

The deputy defence minister could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Videos released by state-run news outlet RIA Novosti showed Ivanov standing inside a glass box in a Moscow courtroom.

The report by US-broadcaster CNN said Ivanov is one the key architects of Russia’s so-called military operation in Ukraine. Due to his role in the ongoing war, he has become the subject of European Union and US sanctions.

The report also pointed out that this is the highest-profile Russian corruption case since the war began in February 2022.

The conspiracy was to receive “property and services on a particularly large scale during contract and sub-contract work for the ministry of defence,” the court service said.

Russian media said he denied being guilty.

Ivanov was tasked with the reconstruction of Russian-occupied Mariupol, in southeastern Ukraine and said that he was a frequent fixture at ribbon-cutting ceremonies on construction projects in the war-ravaged city.

Late Kremlin and Putin critic Alexey Navalny’s International Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF) had earlier accused Ivanov of corruption. Maria Pevchikh, ACF’s chairman, in April 2023 said Ivanov had “one of the most lucrative jobs that one can have in the Ministry of Defense”.

It also alleged that Ivanov was paid heftily for his role where he led construction for the Russian Army.

The group told the US broadcaster last year that the deputy defence minister had extreme wealth. His assets include a historical house in one of Moscow’s most expensive districts and alleged that it was funded by “corruption”.

It also said that he benefited greatly from the war in Ukraine.

The sudden arrest of an ally of Shoigu, who Putin tasked with fighting the war in Ukraine, triggered speculation about a battle within the elite and of a public crackdown on the corruption which has plagued Russia’s post-Soviet armed forces.