Recent events have caused a significant upheaval within the Russian military, with senior officials being arrested on charges of bribery and abuse of power since April. The dismissal of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in May, accused of mishandling the invasion of Ukraine, marked a peak in this turmoil.
Despite economist Andrei Belousov stepping in as the new head of the Defense Ministry and a decrease in the intensity of the purge, arrests continue. Here is a timeline of the ongoing army purge:
April 23, 2024
Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov charged with bribery. Ivanov is accused of accepting a substantial bribe related to military construction projects.
May 7, 2024
President Vladimir Putin inaugurated for a fifth term.
May 12, 2024
Sergei Shoigu replaced by Andrei Belousov as Defense Minister.
May 14, 2024
Lieutenant General Yury Kuznetsov and others charged with bribery. Allegations include accepting bribes for favors.
This series of events has put a spotlight on corruption within the Russian military, leading to ongoing investigations and repercussions for those involved.