Scandal in Russia. Former general and deputy minister of defense sentenced to 19 years in prison
The agency points out that this is the strictest sentence issued in the entire series of proceedings related to the corruption scandal in the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Ivan Popov was the commander of the 58th All-Army Army, participating in the aggression against Ukraine. He was also the deputy of the former Minister of Defense of Russia, Sergei Shoigu. Independent commentators consider him one of the most competent Russian generals.
In July 2023, Popov was dismissed as commander of the 58th Army when he publicly criticized the leadership of the Ministry of Defense. The general pleaded not guilty and argued that he was fired due to a recording in which he complained that the Russian army did not have adequate weapons and reconnaissance capabilities to detect enemy artillery.
Popov was arrested in 2024 on charges of “large-scale fraud”. According to investigators, the commander stole metal products worth 130 million rubles ($1.56 million), which were to be used to build fortifications on the front line in Ukraine, and was also involved in irregularities during the construction of the “Patriot” theme park in Kubinka near Moscow.
Corruption scandal in Russia. The detainees were associated with Shoigu
Reuters recalls that high-ranking Defense Ministry officials arrested in connection with the corruption scandal were close to Shoigu, whom Russian leader Vladimir Putin unexpectedly fired two years ago – along with deputy ministers – in what was seen as a move aimed at implementing better control over the Russian army's budget and eliminating corruption.
According to military bloggers critical of Shoigu, the construction of the Patriot park was a “personal project” of this previously indestructible official and a close associate of Putin.
