Huge bribery shakes Putin's inner circle

48-year-old Timur Ivanov is most responsible for various construction projects carried out by the Russian Ministry of Defense, for example housing and hospitals for the army. Ivanov is also responsible for the reconstruction of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which Russia occupied for almost two years.

The Attorney General is investigating several suspected corruption cases, one of which relates to gross bribery in connection with the establishment of a new national communications center at the Ministry of Defense. In addition to Ivanov, two businessmen were arrested on suspicion of, among other things, carrying out construction work for the minister at taxpayers' expense.

Close to the Minister of Defense

Ivanov became Deputy Minister of Defense in 2016 and is considered one of Sergei Shoigu's most loyal partners. Shoigu and Ivanov have a long history together.

When Shoigu was appointed governor of the Moscow region in 2012, Ivanov became deputy governor. The following year, Shoigu assumed the position of Defense Minister and has since become President Putin's confidant and is in daily contact with the president. In the same context, Ivanov became president of the Russian defense construction company Oboronstrog.

Navalny Anti-Corruption Fund

Over the years, the Deputy Minister of Defense lived a luxurious life that was not commensurate with his official income. In 2019, Ivanov was included in Forbes magazine's list of the richest government employees in Russia.

The general and his ex-wife have long displayed their wealth on social media, which has led, among other things, to their lavish lives and businesses. It was audited by Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund.

In 2022, the European Union and the United States imposed sanctions on him. During the period of detention, Ivanov is detained in the notorious Lefortovo prison in Moscow.