Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Sacked Amid Widening Corruption Probe

Two more people have since been arrested and charged in connection with alleged bribery scheme.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visits the advanced control post of Russian troops involved in Russia-Ukraine conflict, at an unknown location, on June 26, 2023. Russian Defense Ministry/Handout via Reuters

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has dismissed his deputy, Timur Ivanov, amid a widening bribery probe that has rocked the country’s military establishment.

“By order of the defense minister, Timur Ivanov was removed from the post of deputy defense minister,” Russia’s TASS news agency quoted a ministry source as saying on April 24.