A top Russian military official, Timur Ivanov, was arrested on suspicion of accepting a bribe and has been sent to pre-trial detention in Moscow. Ivanov, one of Russia's deputy defense ministers, was arrested for allegedly taking an especially large bribe, a criminal offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
According to court officials, Ivanov is suspected of conspiring with third parties to receive a bribe related to contracting and subcontracting work for the Ministry of Defense. An acquaintance of Ivanov's, Sergei Borodin, was also arrested on the same charges and ordered into pre-trial detention.
Ivanov, who was appointed to his position in 2016, oversaw various aspects of the defense ministry, including property management, housing, and medical support for the military. His arrest was reportedly brought to the attention of President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Reports indicate that Ivanov was involved in construction projects in Mariupol, a city in Ukraine's Donetsk region that was heavily impacted by the conflict with Russian forces. The Russian military's official TV channel documented Ivanov inspecting construction sites in the city.
In 2022, allegations surfaced from opposition activists claiming that Ivanov and his family were living a lavish lifestyle, including extravagant trips abroad, lavish parties, and elite real estate. It was also alleged that Ivanov's wife divorced him but continued to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle.
Following Ivanov's arrest, comments from opposition figures, including Maria Pevchikh, indicated a sense of satisfaction with the development. The case comes amid Russia's ongoing military involvement in Ukraine, now in its third year.
