In late April, former Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov was arrested and later charged with accepting a bribe of more than 1 billion rubles ($11.4 million) while overseeing military construction projects. A Moscow Court extended his pre-trial detention until September 23, following a request from investigators. Ivanov, an ally of current Russian Security Council head Sergei Shoigu, faces up to 15 years on corruption charges related to accepting funds during government contracts and subcontracting work for the defense ministry, allegations which he denies.
During a closed-door court hearing, Ivanov confirmed that he had been dismissed as deputy defense minister following his arrest two months earlier. Ivanov was responsible for overseeing construction, housing, property management, mortgages, and procurement for the Russian military. He played key roles in projects such as the Defense Ministry’s Patriot Park, the Armed Forces’ Main Cathedral, and the reconstruction of Mariupol in Ukraine after its siege and occupation. Businessman Sergei Borodin, accused of aiding Ivanov in receiving bribes, was also held in pre-trial detention by the judge.
Unlike cases involving national security or state secrets, bribery cases are typically not held behind closed doors. Independent Russian media had previously reported that Ivanov was suspected of state treason, a claim dismissed by the Kremlin as speculation. Ivanov and Borodin appeared at the court hearing together, with Ivanov facing corruption charges and denying any wrongdoing. Ivanov’s detention was extended until September 23, marking five months since his initial arrest, as part of an ongoing crackdown on corruption within the country’s defense sector.
Timur Ivanov, a former deputy defense minister in Russia, faced a pre-trial detention extension until September 23 after being charged with accepting a large bribe while overseeing military construction projects. An ally of current Russian Security Council head Sergei Shoigu, Ivanov denies the corruption allegations, which investigators claim involve funds received during defense ministry contracts. In a closed-door court hearing, Ivanov confirmed his dismissal from his position as deputy defense minister following his arrest, shedding light on his role in overseeing various military-related projects, and the reconstruction of Mariupol in Ukraine. Businessman Sergei Borodin, accused of aiding Ivanov in receiving bribes, was also held in pre-trial detention.
