On October 7, 2024, russian media reported that prosecutors have brought additional charges against former Deputy Defence Minister Timur Ivanov, who was previously charged in April 2024. The first of these cases involves the alleged embezzlement of 200 m roubles (~$2 m USD) during the procurement of two ships for the Kerch strait ferry line, which have subsequently been damaged during the war. The second is the alleged embezzlement of 3 bn roubles (~$200 m USD) from Interkommerts bank while facilitating or directing the purchase of foreign currency, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
Charges continue to stack up against former senior russian defense officials as part of what now seems to be a major crackdown on embezzlement by senior officials below executive or cabinet level.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence: russian Forces Push Closer to the Oskil River, Threatening Ukraine’s Hold on Key Logistics Routes
Russian media also reports that eight officials holding general officer ranks have been dismissed from agencies including the Investigative Committee, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the Federal Penitentiary Service. Independent russian media speculates that this is due to impending corruption charges. If true, this a potential indicator that corruption crackdowns are spreading from their previous narrow focus on the defense sector.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence: Series of Attacks Continue to Undermine russian Military Presence in Crimea
