Russian milbloggers reported that Vladimir Verteletsky, a senior defense ministry official, was arrested for accepting a large bribe. Investigators found he received a car and a house from a bidder on state defense contracts, registering the property under his relatives’ names. This arrest follows the recent detention of Lieutenant-General Vadim Shamarin and other defense figures for similar charges.
Speculation abounds that these arrests are part of a purge targeting officials appointed during former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s tenure. President Putin allegedly ordered the crackdown to weaken Shoigu’s political base, boost Defense Minister Andrei Belousov’s credibility, and tackle financial mismanagement in the military.
While Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denies a targeted purge, the arrests highlight ongoing anti-corruption efforts. The move signifies a power shift within Russia’s defense sector and underscores Putin’s resolve to combat corruption at all levels.
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