In a significant development, Russian authorities have detained a third suspect, businessman Alexander Fomin, in connection with a bribery case involving Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov. Fomin is accused of providing bribes to Ivanov and his associate, Sergei Borodin, who were detained earlier. All three individuals have been placed in custody until at least June 23.
Ivanov, a close associate of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, has been charged with bribery and is currently under investigation and trial. Prior to his arrest, he was responsible for managing military construction projects. Anti-corruption probes led by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny have previously raised concerns about Ivanov’s luxurious lifestyle.
Investigative reports revealed that Fomin and Borodin allegedly facilitated the transfer of a “particularly large bribe” to Ivanov, a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Ivanov, 48, was targeted with sanctions by the United States and European Union in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to official statements, Ivanov conspired with unidentified parties to accept bribes in the form of unspecified property services related to contracting and subcontracting work for the Ministry of Defense. Ivanov’s lawyer, Murad Musayev, has maintained his client’s innocence, claiming he is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for providing favorable treatment to Defense Ministry contractors.
Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the arrest of such a high-ranking official has raised speculation about the potential for more serious charges, such as treason, to be brought against Ivanov. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has dismissed these suggestions as mere rumors.
The crackdown on corruption within the Russian military comes roughly a month after President Vladimir Putin instructed the FSB to intensify anti-corruption efforts, particularly in the realm of state defense procurement. It is worth noting that prosecutions of high-level officials for corruption in Russia have been relatively uncommon.
Prior cases include the arrest of former Deputy Culture Minister Olga Yarilova in April 2023 for allegedly embezzling over 200 million rubles, and the 2017 conviction of former Economics Minister Alexei Ulyukayev on bribery charges. The latter case was widely viewed as a manifestation of internal power struggles within the Kremlin.
