Corruption scandal: Russian defence ministry rocked by new arrests
RIA Novosti reported that Deputy Minister of National Defence Gen. Dmitry Bulgakov was arrested on corruption charges. Bulgakov was the deputy head of the Ministry of Defence under Sergei Shoigu and holds the title "Hero of Russia." This is another arrest within the defence department in recent days.
The Russian RIA Novosti agency confirmed the general's arrest, contacting representatives of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.
Further arrests in Russia
The Main Directorate of the Investigative Committee is investigating a criminal corruption case in which Dmitry Bulgakov, who served as deputy defence minister from 2008 to 2022, was temporarily detained. Svetlana Petrenko, a representative of the Investigative Committee, stated that necessary investigative actions are being carried out.
According to RIA Novosti, citing its sources in the investigative committee, Bulgakov, as deputy minister, acquired a plot of 9 hectares and a house measuring 620 square metres. The general’s wife has a Lexus RX350 registered to her, in the premium version, despite her annual income not exceeding £1,850.
Bulgakov's financial disclosures indicate that he earned about £125,000 annually.
RIA also claims that Bulgakov created a system for supplying soldiers with low-quality food at inflated costs. "The former deputy minister received bribes from commercial structures on whose behalf he lobbied for contracts with the Ministry of National Defence," the report reads.
From 2008 to 2010, Bulgakov was head of logistics for the Russian Armed Forces. In 2010, he was appointed deputy head of the Ministry of National Defence under Sergei Shoigu, responsible for military logistics. In September 2022, he was dismissed due to his transfer to another post.
"Hero of Russia" for "Syrian Express" operation
In 2016, Bulgakov received the title "Hero of Russia" for the logistical operation "Syrian Express." Russian media used this term to describe the regular voyages of Russian landing ships to Syria. These campaigns aimed to deliver weapons and ammunition to the Syrian Armed Forces.
Over the years, Bulgakov received decorations including "For Services to the Fatherland," "For Military Merit," "For Services to the Fatherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR," and many others.
On Thursday, the media reported that Andrey Belkov, the director of the Military Construction Complex of the Ministry of National Defence of the Russian Federation, was temporarily detained.
He was charged with "exceeding his official powers in executing the state defence order."
