A former head of the Property Department of the Russian Defense Ministry, Vladimir Demchik, has been arrested on corruption charges, marking the latest high-profile figure caught in a widening crackdown within the Russian military.
The Russian Investigative Committee announced Demchik’s arrest on August 6.
Demchik allegedly accepted a four-million ruble ($46,900) bribe in 2017 from the CEO of a commercial organization seeking government contracts.
This arrest is part of a broader sweep that has ensnared several senior military officials in Russia since April.
The arrests follow the dismissal of Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, which appears to have triggered a wave of investigations targeting military officials for offenses ranging from bribery to abuse of power.
The arrests coincide with significant leadership changes.
In mid-May, President Vladimir Putin dismissed longtime ally Sergei Shoigu as defense minister. Shoigu was a key figure in Russia’s military operations over the past decade. He was replaced by Andrei Belousov, the former First Deputy Prime Minister.
These changes are seen by some observers as a sign of internal strife and attempts to tighten control over the military apparatus.
Corruption Cases Surge
Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) reports a sharp rise in bribery-related criminal cases within the Russian Armed Forces.
According to HUR, the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces has seen a significant increase in criminal cases related to bribery and illegal dismissals from service. The number of such cases opened in the first five months of 2024 has tripled compared to previous years.
Of particular concern is the 8th Combined Arms Army, a unit with significant deployment in Ukraine, where nearly half of these corruption investigations are concentrated.
The arrest of Demchik and the ongoing investigations into other high-ranking officials reflect a deepening crisis within Russia’s military structure.
