Russian Defense Ministry's general detained amid sweeping changes
14 May 2024 10:14
General Yuri Kuznetsov, the head of the Main Personnel Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense, has been detained on suspicion of committing a crime. Russian media, citing the Investigative Committee, report that Kuznetsov is under investigation following his home and workplace searches.
The head of the Main Personnel Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense, General Yuri Kuznetsov, has been detained on suspicion of committing a crime, according to the Russian state news agency TASS, which referred to sources within the security services. The exact charges against the military officer remain undisclosed. It has been confirmed that Kuznetsov's residence and workplace were subjected to searches.
- Lieutenant General General Kuznetsov was detained as a suspect in a criminal offense. The case is being investigated by the Main Military Investigation Department of the Russian Investigative Committee – a source from TASS reported.
The news about Yuri Kuznetsov's arrest became public a day after Vladimir Putin implemented changes within the Russian Ministry of Defense. The previous minister, Sergei Shoigu, was dismissed and reassigned.
Reason for detention possibly linked to former role
As the independent Russian portal Meduza reported, on May 13th, the 235th military garrison court in Moscow held a session to apply coercive measures against General Yuri Vasilyevich Kuznetsov. The outcome of this session remains undisclosed.
Meduza has highlighted that information about Yuri Kuznetsov's arrest circulated through pro-government Telegram channels before becoming widely known. The author of the channel "Rybar" suggests that the investigation has honed in on Kuznetsov's earlier role as head of the service for protecting state secrets.
In May 2023, Vladimir Putin issued a decree naming Kuznetsov the head of the Main Personnel Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, a fact highlighted by the independent Russian publication Kommersant. Despite the ongoing situation, Kuznetsov is still listed on the ministry's website, where it's mentioned that he "served in various positions in the state secret protection service."
