Russia intensifies crackdown on military corruption amid Ukraine war

Russia intensifies crackdown on military corruption amid Ukraine war

[Music] turbulent times for the Russian Army’s top brass as Vladimir Putin begins his fifth term as president a major shake up in the ranks branded by many as a purge it started in April with the arrest of Deputy defense minister timour ianov on charges of bribery it had been the subject of several media investigations into his family’s lavish lifestyle that was followed by the resignation of Defense Minister Serge Shu who was replaced by Economist Andre belausov ru’s right-hand man Ruslan salikov responsible for the Army’s finances allegedly asked to step down and Deputy Minister Yuri sveno at Jan close to Shu was dismissed the changes are needed for greater control over finances because the budget has increased spending on the production of weapons because he is an economist Andre bosov is the most suitable figure for the post of Minister of Defense the current Personnel reshuffles will not affect combat operations in Ukraine in any way other arrests on bribery and Corruption charges include head of the ministry’s Personnel directorate Yuri kitov and Major General Ivan poov a former senior commander in Ukraine he has denounced the Army’s performance on the battlefield and criticized the chief of general staff poov has denied the corruption charges presidential spokesman Dimitri pesov said the arrests a part of the fight against corruption and not a deliberate campaign while the president prom promis the general staff would not change as for the general staff and the entire structure that ensures combat work there are no changes here and no plans for change but a week later the deputy head of the general staff was placed in pre-trial detention on charges of accepting bribes Lieutenant General Vadim shamarin had been responsible for the Army’s Communications equipment many critics blame poor communication for Battlefield failures in Ukraine particularly in 201 22 even though Russia’s defense budget is an unprecedented 7% of GDP this year crowdfunding platforms are still raising money for drones night vision goggles and bulletproof vests for the troops fighting in Ukraine that’s led to accusations of corruption in the Army’s ranks the question now is whether the new defense minister will be able to break the pattern and put an end to the alleged corruption or whether the new generals hair points will continue the plunder Julia shavala Al jazer MOS go make sure to subscribe to our channel to get the latest news from Al jazer

A series of high-profile arrests has shaken the Russian Defence Ministry.
In the past month, the Defence Minister has been replaced and several high-ranking military personnel have been detained or dismissed.
It’s believed the crackdown on corruption and mismanagement is a fallout of President Vladimir Putin’s frustration with the war effort in Ukraine.

Al Jazeera’s Yulia Shapovalova reports from Moscow, Russia.

Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglish
Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera
Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/
Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/
Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile

#Russia #RussiaMilitary #RussiaCorruptionCrackdown #RussiaCorruption #UkraineWar #VladimirPutin #VadimShamarin #AlJazeeraEnglish