Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has dismissed his deputy, Timur Ivanov, amid a widening bribery probe that has rocked the country’s military establishment.
“By order of the defense minister, Timur Ivanov was removed from the post of deputy defense minister,” Russia’s TASS news agency quoted a ministry source as saying on April 24.
A day earlier, Mr. Ivanov—who says he is innocent—was detained at his workplace at the defense ministry by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).
The authorities have also reportedly seized bank accounts and property holdings associated with Mr. Ivanov and his family.
The moves follow claims that Mr. Ivanov—a close ally of Gen. Shoigu—received kickbacks from a construction firm in return for helping it win ministry contracts.
According to an investigative committee, Mr. Ivanov has been charged with taking bribes in excess of 1 million rubles (approx. $10,800), a crime that carries a maximum jail sentence of 15 years.
On April 24, a Moscow court remanded Mr. Ivanov in custody for a two-month period, during which preliminary investigations will be conducted.
“Investigators believe the defendant entered into a criminal conspiracy with third parties ... with a view to committing a crime,” the court said in a statement.
It added that Mr. Ivanov stands accused of taking bribes “as part of an organized group” while overseeing contracted work for the defense ministry.
Denis Baluyev, an attorney for Mr. Ivanov, has said there is no evidence of any bribe money having been transferred to his client.
“The money ... is simply absent,” Mr. Baluyev was quoted as saying by TASS.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov played down reports that Mr. Ivanov could be charged with high treason in connection with the alleged offense.
Alleged Co-conspirators Detained
It remains unclear what prompted judicial authorities to bring charges—at this time—against Mr. Ivanov and his alleged co-conspirators.Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the FSB to wage a “systematic” crackdown on state corruption, especially that pertaining to military procurement.
According to judicial officials, two other people—Sergey Borodin and Alexander Fomin—have also since been detained in connection with the case.
Mr. Borodin, an entrepreneur and close associate of Mr. Ivanov, was detained by authorities on April 24.
Mr. Fomin, co-founder of a prominent Russian construction firm, was arrested and charged on April 25.
Both men reportedly stand accused of paying bribes to Mr. Ivanov, 48, who has held the post of deputy defense minister since 2016.
The court claims that Mr. Borodin served as Mr. Ivanov’s “accomplice” in the suspected bribery scheme.
It has also accused Mr. Borodin of “criminally conspiring with third parties.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Fomin—along with unnamed “other persons”—is accused of funneling bribes to Mr. Ivanov in the form of illicit “property-related services.”
In 2021, Mr. Fomin’s company was awarded a large contract—by Mr. Ivanov—to build a string of medical centers, Russia’s Kommersant newspaper reported this week.
As of press time, neither Mr. Fomin nor Mr. Borodin had issued statements regarding the charges against them.
Internecine Power Play?
The burgeoning scandal is the worst to hit Russia’s military establishment since Moscow launched its invasion of eastern Ukraine in early 2022.It also comes shortly before a major cabinet reshuffle that Mr. Putin, who recently won a fresh term in office, is expected to announce next month.
Mr. Ivanov has long been regarded as a close ally of Gen. Shoigu, who some observers speculate could be hurt by the unfolding scandal.
Some Kremlin watchers see the ongoing probe as an effort to damage Gen. Shoigu before Mr. Putin’s anticipated cabinet reshuffle.
The 69-year-old general, however, is widely expected to maintain his post, despite the potentially damaging allegations.
Under his direction, Russian forces have largely regained the initiative in eastern Ukraine, where they have recently chalked up several notable gains.
Mr. Ivanov was appointed deputy defense minister in 2016 by presidential decree.
According to the ministry’s website, his responsibilities included overseeing property management, military housing, and construction projects.
The charges against a deputy minister are not without precedent.
In April 2023, Olga Yarilova, a former deputy culture minister, was arrested and charged with embezzling more than 200 million rubles (approx. $2.2 million).
Ms. Yarilova is now standing trial, where she faces a maximum seven-year jail sentence.
