Russia detains ex-deputy defense minister in major corruption scandal

Pavel Popov, former deputy defense minister of Russia, was detained by a military court in Moscow on Thursday on suspicion of fraud.

This marks the latest development in an ongoing series of corruption investigations targeting officials linked to former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Pavel Popov: Another chapter in Russia’s anti-corruption drive

Popov, who has served as deputy defense minister since 2013, is accused of misappropriating funds related to the construction of the Patriot Park, a military theme park near Moscow. Russian investigators allege that Popov diverted building materials from the park to his private residence starting in 2021. The court has ordered his detention until Oct. 29, 2024.

Popov, 67, who was relieved of his post by presidential decree on June 17, denies the charges. His lawyer told the RIA state news agency that he maintains his innocence.

Corruption probe targets former defense officials

Popov’s detention is part of a broader anti-corruption crackdown that has swept through Russia’s military and defense establishment in recent months. Since April, at least a dozen officials, many of whom served under Shoigu, have been arrested as part of what is being described as the most significant wave of corruption scandals in years.

In May, President Vladimir Putin unexpectedly dismissed Shoigu, who had been a long-serving defense minister and replaced him with Andrei Belousov, an economist with no prior military experience. The move was widely interpreted as an effort to tighten control over Russia’s extensive defense budget and eliminate corruption.

Details of alleged fraud involving Russia’s Patriot Park

The investigation into Popov centers around alleged fraud involving Patriot Park, a war-themed tourist attraction that features a vast collection of Russian and Soviet weaponry and offers visitors the chance to engage in combat simulations. Investigators allege that Popov, along with two other senior defense officials, Maj. Gen. Vladimir Shesterov and Col. Vyacheslav Akhmedov, diverted material allocated for the park for their personal gain.

According to the Investigative Committee, Popov began diverting materials from the park in 2021 for installation work at his private residence. Investigators are currently examining several properties owned by Popov and his family members, with a combined value of over 500 million roubles ($5.47 million).

The arrests and ongoing investigations have sent shockwaves through Russia’s defense sector, which is also grappling with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Broader implications of ongoing anti-corruption campaign

The crackdown on corruption within Russia’s military establishment comes at a critical time, as Russia is engaged in both repelling a Ukrainian incursion that began on Aug. 6 and continuing its offensive in eastern Ukraine. The ongoing investigations and arrests have targeted high-level officials responsible for military logistics in Ukraine, as well as commanders linked to alleged war crimes in Bucha.

The case against Popov follows the April 23 arrest of Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, another close associate of Shoigu. At the time, Ivanov’s arrest was seen as part of an internal power struggle within Russia’s Defense Ministry.