Last month saw the arrest of a Russian deputy defense minister, followed by the appearance of the head of the ministry’s personnel directorate in court. This week, two additional senior military officials were apprehended. All of them are facing corruption charges, which they have denied.
These arrests coincide with President Vladimir Putin’s commencement of his fifth term and the reassignment of his ally, longtime Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, to a new position.
This development has sparked speculation regarding Putin’s intentions: whether he is tightening his grip on the Defense Ministry amidst the conflict in Ukraine, whether a power struggle has erupted between the military and security services, or if another scenario is unfolding within the Kremlin’s walls.