Second Senior Russian Defense Official Arrested on Bribery Charges Amid Cabinet Shake-Up

A second senior Russian defense official has been arrested on bribery charges, officials confirmed on Tuesday, following a recent Cabinet shake-up by President Vladimir Putin that sparked expectations of further purges within the military establishment.

Lt. Gen. Yury Kuznetsov, aged 55 and serving as the chief of the Defense Ministry’s main personnel directorate, was apprehended during a raid on his suburban Moscow residence early Monday morning, Russian media reported. The arrest was made in connection with allegations of bribery, with Kuznetsov accused of accepting an “exceptionally large bribe” during his previous tenure as head of the military General Staff’s directorate responsible for preserving state secrets.

Reports suggest that agents of the Federal Security Service (FSB) forcibly entered Kuznetsov’s home while he was asleep, seizing gold coins, luxury items, and over $1 million in cash. Kuznetsov’s wife, who has a background in various Defense Ministry structures, was also reportedly questioned in connection with the case.

This development comes shortly after President Putin’s Cabinet reshuffle, which saw Sergei Shoigu replaced as defense minister by economics expert Andrei Belousov. Shoigu, who served as defense minister for over a decade, was appointed as the secretary of Russia’s Security Council, while Nikolai Patrushev, the former council secretary, assumed a new role as a presidential aide.

The reshuffle has prompted speculation about the future of Shoigu’s close associates within the Defense Ministry, especially in light of recent arrests within the military hierarchy. Timur Ivanov, Shoigu’s deputy, was arrested last month on bribery charges, raising questions about potential ramifications for Shoigu himself.

Belousov, the newly appointed defense minister, emphasized the need to optimize military spending and integrate the defense sector into the national economy during a parliamentary address on Tuesday. He also stressed the importance of attaining Russia’s objectives in Ukraine with minimal casualties and outlined plans to enhance the military’s capabilities in artillery, missile systems, drones, and electronic warfare.

Despite concerns about potential disruption within the military ranks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed suggestions that the shake-up and arrests could impact Russia’s operations in Ukraine. He emphasized that Gen. Valery Gerasimov, who directs military operations in Ukraine, retains his position, underscoring continuity in the country’s military strategy amid ongoing offensives in the region.