Corruption probes intensify within Russian defence sector

On Sunday, the British Ministry of Defence announced two new investigations into corruption within the Russian defence sector. According to the report, corruption in the Russian defence industry is common, but there have been increased prosecutions of individuals lacking political protection.

The latest intelligence update reported that Andrei Belkov, head of the Military Construction Enterprise, which operates under the Russian Ministry of Defence, was arrested on corruption charges.

Former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu praised this company for its supposedly "extraordinary audit system." British intelligence assessed that this company was likely used in corruption schemes benefiting Russian officials.

On July 23, in Rostov-on-Don, the former director of the tactical missile plant "Zvezda-Strela" was sentenced to prison for financial fraud and price gouging.

The Ministry of Defence's statement noted that corruption is an "endemic" phenomenon in the Russian defence industry. An audit in 2007 revealed that as much as 70 percent of the ministry's budget funds were being misused.

To some extent, corruption is tolerated by the Kremlin, but since the beginning of the war in Ukraine (the full-scale invasion began in 2022), attacks on those defence industry representatives without sufficient political protection have become more frequent - it was summarized.