Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper), In a swift sequence of events that marks yet another round of high-level shakeups within the Russian defense ministry, Yuri Kuznetsov, the head of the Main Administration for Personnel, now finds himself behind bars. The state news agency TASS broke the story last week, revealing that the arrest had been made under undisclosed charges at that time.
By Monday, the wheels of justice had already started turning for Kuznetsov, as Moscow’s military court ordered his detention. The investigative committee later disclosed that the accusations against him centered on bribery. Kuznetsov, a 55-year-old lieutenant general, had not been in his current role for more than a year. Yet, he had been a prominent figure within the Ministry of Defense since 2010, previously managing a department dedicated to safeguarding state secrets.
The focus of the investigation spans from 2021 to 2023, scrutinizing Kuznetsov’s earlier assignments. Allegedly, he accepted bribes involving significant sums of money, gold coins, luxury watches, and other high-value items from business representatives seeking favors.
Further details suggest the general led a life of opulence as investigators seized assets, including foreign currency and luxury real estate. Compounding the drama, a second defendant has hinted at more charges and additional co-defendants emerging in the case.
As TASS reports, the arrest signals what many insiders anticipated as an impending purge within the ministry, targeting figures entangled in controversial dealings. Just days prior, another high-ranking official, Timur Ivanov, was in custody on similar corruption charges. Ivanov had been closely associated with the former defense minister, Sergei Shoygu.
Amid these disclosures, unofficial sources, such as war-supportive Z-telegram channels, have hinted at further resignations. Though not confirmed officially, it is rumored that Shoygu’s former first deputy, Ruslan Zalikov, and Alexei Krivoruchko, the ex-head of the Kalashnikov arms company, have stepped down. Both men, linked to opulent lifestyles and substantial gains from state contracts, were also associated with the late anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny. Notably, Navalny’s investigations had previously exposed Krivoruchko’s connections to property in Florida and his family ties there, including two daughters born in the U.S.
The turmoil within the Russian military hierarchy extends beyond the recent arrests, reaching into the very top echelons of power. Notably, Sergei Shoygu, a figure synonymous with Russian defense, has been thrust into a new role amidst these circumstances. Over the weekend, President Vladimir Putin appointed Shoygu as the Secretary of the Security Council.
This reshuffling came just as a former key figure, Nikolay Patrushev, the erstwhile director of the FSB secret service and the outgoing Security Council secretary, ascended to a presidential assistant. This game of musical chairs didn’t end there; Alexei Djumin, once a bodyguard for Putin and later governor of the Tula region, was also swept up in these high-profile shifts. Djumin’s prior speculation as a potential successor to Putin had dwindled following constitutional reforms that could extend Putin’s presidency until 2036.
On the frontlines of media coverage, the “Republic” online magazine, operating from exile, sheds light on the implications of these changes. The magazine suggests that the appointment of Beloussov as the new defense minister, noted for his clean slate regarding corruption, represents a significant pivot. This change is poised to redirect funds previously squandered on lavish lifestyles of military brass toward enhancing military capabilities and weapon development. Such a strategic shift presents a formidable challenge for Ukraine, making the defense against Russian advances potentially more arduous and financially draining for its Western allies.
Amidst inquiries about the broader impact of these arrests and role changes, Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, addressed questions about the future leadership of the Russian military. He underscored that the defense ministry’s focus under Beloussov would be on adapting Russia’s economy for sustained warfare and fostering innovation within the armed forces.
When questioned whether Shoygu’s new appointment represented a step-down, Peskov dismissed such suggestions outright. He emphasized the significant authority and broad responsibilities that come with the role of Secretary of the Security Council, highlighting its critical importance in the national security apparatus.
As these high-stakes developments unfold, they sketch a portrait of a nation grappling with internal corruption, even as it repositions its strategic figures. These moves not only reconfigure the power dynamics within Russia but also signal a potentially transformative phase for its military strategy, with profound implications for regional stability and international relations.
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