Senior Russian military officer Timur Ivanov, 48, the Deputy Defense Minister, was arrested on April 23 on charges of accepting a bribe of 1 million rubles (approximately $10,800), marking a significant corruption scandal in Russia. The arrest, reportedly ordered by President Vladimir Putin, is part of an investigation that could implicate other high-ranking Kremlin officials. Ivanov, who remains in custody, appeared in court last week in full uniform. He was appointed deputy defense minister in May 2016. This incident is seen as an attempt by Putin to diminish the influence of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, as indicated by Putin's recent meeting with Alexei Dyumin, a known Wagner Group affiliate and potential rival to Shoigu.
Mr. Ivanov, who appeared in court last week wearing his full uniform, was appointed deputy defense minister in May 2016. https://t.co/OrBqQXsVbH
He is accused of accepting a bribe of 1 million rubles — about $10,800 — in the country’s highest-profile corruption scandal since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine two years ago. https://t.co/OrBqQXsVbH
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Tula Oblast Governor and known Wagner Group affiliate Alexei Dyumin on May 2, further indicating that Putin may be seeking to reduce Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's power by balancing him with rivals. (1/3) https://t.co/KiIOnTQHVm
Dyumin played an important and under-reported role in both creating Wagner Group and quelling Prigozhin’s mutiny. Besides, he was reportedly a key GRU operative in Ukraine at the start of war in 2014. Often seen as Putin’s successor. https://t.co/hooYSGtw9Q
ISW: the decision to arrest Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov was made by Putin. This points to Shoigu's disgrace. https://t.co/Zy73AIv6gr
An investigation that landed a senior Russian military officer in jail on bribery charges is threatening to snare other high-ranking Kremlin officials. Timur Ivanov, 48, was arrested on April 23 and remains in custody. https://t.co/co5cEXgV0k