Russian authorities have detained another senior military official on suspicion of bribery, marking the latest development in a series of arrests related to alleged corruption within the defense ministry.
Major General Valery Muminjanov, who served in the defense ministry’s resources department, is accused of facilitating state contracts for private companies providing army uniforms. Investigators allege that he received a substantial bribe exceeding 20 million rubles ($223,000) in exchange for his assistance.
The Investigative Committee of Russia stated that during their investigation, they discovered that Muminjanov and his family own multiple real estate properties in Moscow and Voronezh, valued at over 120 million rubles. The legality of these assets is currently being investigated.
If convicted, Muminjanov could face up to 15 years in prison.
This arrest is part of a broader crackdown on inefficiency and corruption within the Russian military, which began in April. Since then, at least 10 military officials have been arrested. Analysts have described this series of arrests as a “purge” aimed at addressing issues within the military leadership, particularly in light of Russia’s ongoing offensive in Ukraine.
In May, President Vladimir Putin replaced long-time defense minister Sergei Shoigu with Andrei Belousov, an economist. This move was widely interpreted as an attempt to enhance the armed forces’ economic efficiency.
The defense ministry has been plagued by repeated corruption scandals since the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, these allegations have come under heightened scrutiny since Russia initiated its military operations in Ukraine.
Last week, former deputy defense minister Pavel Popov was also arrested on fraud charges linked to the construction of an army-themed amusement park near Moscow.
These recent arrests highlight the ongoing fight against corruption within the Russian defense ministry, which is facing increasing pressure to address internal issues as the war in Ukraine continues.
