A luxury lifestyle funded by stolen millions? Russia’s ex-defense official faces trial in a sweeping anti-corruption purge.”
The Scandal Unfolds
Russia has launched the trial of Timur Ivanov, a former deputy defense minister, accused of taking massive bribes and embezzling billions of roubles. Arrested in April 2023, Ivanov now faces charges alongside his former subordinate, Anton Filatov, in a case that signals President Vladimir Putin’s crackdown on military corruption.
The Charges & Secret Trial
Investigators claim Ivanov and his associates funneled 4.1 billion roubles ($48.8 million) into foreign bank accounts. The trial, held behind closed doors due to “state secrecy,” has drawn attention as Filatov reportedly cooperated with authorities, testifying against Ivanov.
A Crackdown Amid War
With Russia deep into its fourth year of war in Ukraine, Putin is tightening control over defense spending. Ivanov, who managed military property and construction, was long suspected of corruption. Reports reveal his extravagant lifestyle—luxury yachts, helicopters, and a 19th-century Moscow mansion—exposed by Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation.
Biggest Military Scandal in Years
Russian authorities have arrested at least a dozen officials in the past year, including two former deputy ministers. This trial marks the most significant anti-corruption move in Russia’s military in decades.
Also Read:Â Drone Attacks Spark Crisis: US, Russia Rush to Ukraine Ceasefire Talks
