Russian officials have announced the arrest of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov on suspicion of bribery, a crime that could result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years. The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation (SKR) stated on April 23 that Ivanov was arrested under Article 290 of the Russian penal code for bribery. Details about the amount of money Ivanov allegedly received have not been released, but Russian media reports suggest it could be at least one million rubles (over 10,000 USD).
Deputy Minister Ivanov, who is 48 years old, may be the highest-ranking Russian official to face bribery accusations since the conflict with Ukraine began in February 2022. Prior to joining the Ministry of Defense in 2010, Ivanov worked in fuel and energy trading companies and the Moscow provincial government. He was appointed as Deputy Minister in 2016 and holds the title of a state councilor of the first rank, equivalent to a general or admiral in the Russian army. Ivanov is known for his expertise in cybernetics and the nuclear industry, and Forbes magazine has listed him as one of the wealthiest individuals in Russia’s security sector.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister General Sergey Shoigu were informed about Ivanov’s arrest. The news has sparked discussions on various online forums, with users seeking advice on medical issues, business opportunities, and other topics unrelated to the bribery case. However, it remains uncertain how this case will unfold as investigations continue into its allegations against Ivanov.