Russian deputy defence minister who oversaw major military construction projects including the rebuilding of Mariupol now in court on corruption charges

by TheTelegraph

25 comments

  1. **From The Telegraph’s Nataliya Vasilyeva:**

    Despite never having served in the Russian army, a bespectacled Mr Ivanov appeared at the court in Moscow in full military uniform.

    In an unusual move, the court’s press office did not alert journalists to the hearing and did not allow anyone into the room, except for its own photographer.

    [Mr Ivanov was arrested for two months pending an investigation into alleged bribery](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/04/23/russian-deputy-defence-minister-arrested/) from contractors bidding for work for the defence ministry, investigators said.

    But the corruption allegations are actually a smoke-screen for treason charges against the official, two well-placed sources told Russia’s well-respected iStories publication on Wednesday.

    Vladimir Putin personally ordered Mr Ivanov’s arrest after the security services showed the Russian president proof the minister was spying against Russia, one of the sources said.

    The source added that “no one would have arrested” the official for mere bribery, which is endemic in Russia’s defence establishment.

    # Open secret

    The opulent, jet-setting lifestyle enjoyed by Mr Ivanov and his then wife, who are old friends of Kremlin spokesman [Dmitry Peskov](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/03/15/son-vladimir-putins-press-chief-has-assets-frozen-370-russians/), has been an open secret in Russia for years.

    But Mr Peskov, who has been pictured on holiday with the Ivanovs, on Wednesday dismissed the reports of treason charges against his friend as “speculation”.

    The Kremlin spokesman said he had no further information other than the investigators’ statement accusing the official of bribery.

    Allies of [slain Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/02/16/alexei-navalny-dies-prison-russian-opposition-leader-putin/) in 2022 published a wide-ranging investigation, exposing the Ivanovs’ lavish lifestyle.

    The couple own an array of exclusive properties, including a 19th century mansion in central Moscow and a 9,500-ft country house and estate located between Moscow and St Petersburg.

    The couple officially declared just over £1 million income in 2018, the last publicly available income declaration, with the deputy minister’s government salary amounting to just ten per cent of this.

    Leaked emails from Mr Ivanov’s ex-wife showed that the couple spent €850,000 renting a villa in France’s St Tropez every summer between 2010 and 2018. They also reportedly forked out €250,000 euros on yacht rentals, and spent another €200,000 on renting and servicing a Rolls Royce.

    **Continue reading**: [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/04/24/russian-deputy-defence-minister-court-corruption-charges/](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/04/24/russian-deputy-defence-minister-court-corruption-charges/)

  3. Off topic but, why do ruSSian uniforms always look like they’re purchased at a costume warehouse?

  4. My condolences…oh, wait he’s still alive!

    Slava Ukraini

  5. What could be the real reason for this? Corruption is how russia works, its installed in the system. Its like accusing him of drinking vodka on duty.

    There must be something else, something why Putin wants to get rid of him..

  6. Just me, or does he have that look of, “I’m F—ed.”

  7. He must have really pissed someone off to end up there.

    Maybe he can help in the meat assaults.

  8. Isn’t that how you rise in rank in the russian army, by reaching corruption milestones?

  10. They just can’t help themselves. But it seems they often do…

  11. What’s with the glass box thing? Is it a Russian thing? There always in a glass box.

  12. This could be something bigger unraveling? This guy is besties with both Peskov and Shoigu, so if Putin’s targeting him for treason, It’ll be interesting to see who his co-conspirators are.

  14. If they had real evidence he was a spy, I very much doubt he would get a trial. He would have a confession tortured out of him and die a nasty death. He would not be on trial. A trial would be reserved for some exceptionally over the top corruption.

  17. Thought corruption was a perk of the job. Guy must have been really corrupt or pissed off the wrong people.

  18. He‘s definitely going to fall out of some window soon. Which has nothing to do with this of course.

  19. last desperate acts of Putin’s criminal organization as they are now turning ON EACH OTHER…slava Ukraine!!!!

  21. This isn’t for corruption, that is baked in. This is something more.

  22. Someone is trying to get promoted. Thus is the system.

  24. He obviously didn’t pass on enough corrupt money to bosses above him…👍

  25. It’s dissent among the higher russian ranks. Nobody wants this war.

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