Russia: Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation G. Kuznetsov was arrested

It seems that V. Putin has started a serious purge in the ranks of the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It is reported that on May 13, the head of the Personnel Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetsov, was arrested.

The state news agency TASS, citing sources in Russian internal affairs agencies, reports that Yuri Kuznetsov was arrested on May 13 in a criminal case. He is suspected of receiving a bribe on an especially large scale. “Lieutenant General Kuznetsov was detained as a suspect in a criminal offense. The investigator has already applied to the court to choose a preventive measure in the form of detention,” the agency’s interlocutor said.

“In 2021-2023, being the head of the eighth directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Kuznetsov received a bribe from representatives of commercial structures.” During the searches, they found more than 100 million in rubles and foreign currency, gold coins, collectible watches and luxury items.

It is reported that the investigation is being conducted by the Main Military Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia. From 2010 to 2023, Kuznetsov served as head of the 8th Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, responsible for protecting state secrets. Since May 2023, the general has headed the Personnel Department of the Ministry of Defense. Let us note that this is the second high-profile arrest among the heads of the Russian Defense Ministry. At the end of April, Deputy Minister Timur Ivanov was arrested. Now – Kuznetsov.

Let us remind you that on May 13th also became knownthat Putin removed Shoigu from the post of Minister of Defense and appointed him Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. Former first deputy head of government Alexey Belousov became the new minister.

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