Major General Valeri Muminjanov has been arrested on suspicion of corruption, according to Russia's Investigative Committee.
Purge of the Military
According to Hotnews the allegations state that Muminjanov accepted bribes exceeding 20 million rubles (approximately $200,000) in exchange for assisting various companies in securing contracts with the Ministry of Defense for military uniforms.
This arrest is the latest in a series of corruption investigations targeting both current and former officials in Moscow’s Ministry of Defense. Analysts describe the ongoing crackdown as a "purge" of the military, aimed at removing allies of former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Since April, at least ten officials from the Ministry of Defense, including several generals, have been detained or implicated in fraud and corruption cases. These investigations come more than two years after Russia launched its military offensive in Ukraine, drawing increased scrutiny of military operations and expenditures.
A Shift in Power
The Investigative Committee, Russia's top judicial authority, announced on Telegram that Muminjanov is accused of committing a serious crime that could lead to a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
As the deputy commander of the Leningrad military district, he was responsible for logistics and previously held a position within the Ministry of Defense.
Investigators have also stated that Muminjanov and his family own numerous properties in Moscow and Voronezh valued at over 120 million rubles, the legality of which is currently being examined.
The arrests began shortly before the appointment of Andrei Belousov, the new defense minister, indicating a shift in power dynamics within the military hierarchy. While the Kremlin denies any allegations of a systematic purge, it acknowledges ongoing anti-corruption efforts that have plagued the Russian defense sector for years.
