Russian Deputy Defense Minister Arrested on Suspicion of Bribery

Tass news agency quoted the announcement of the Russian Investigative Committee: "Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Vladimirovich Ivanov has been arrested on suspicion of committing a crime under Clause 6, Article 290, Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (on bribery)".

The commission announced Mr Ivanov’s arrest on the Telegram app but did not provide further details. It is unclear who he received the bribe from or how much it was worth.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a report on Deputy Minister Ivanov's arrest had been submitted to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had been informed in advance about the arrest.

Russian media said Mr Ivanov, now 48, who has served as Russia's deputy defence minister for eight years, could face up to 15 years in prison.

Deputy Minister Ivanov could be the highest-ranking Russian official to face such charges since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in February 2022.

Forbes magazine (USA) said that Mr. Ivanov - an expert in cybernetics and nuclear industry - is one of the richest people in Russia's security agencies.

He worked in fuel and energy companies and in the Moscow region government before joining the Russian Defense Ministry in 2010. He became deputy defense minister in 2016.