Repressions against those without sufficient political protection have intensified in Russia’s defence sector - British intelligence
Corruption in the defense industry is partially tolerated in Russia, but with the outbreak of a full-scale war against Ukraine, repression against those who do not have sufficient political protection has intensified.
According to Censor.NET, this is stated in a review by the UK Ministry of Defense, citing intelligence.
As noted, according to Russian media, the head of the Russian Military Construction Company of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Andrey Belkov, was arrested on charges of corruption related to procurement activities.
The intelligence service notes that the company, established in 2019, was praised by then-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for its "special regime of internal and external audit." In fact, corrupt Russian officials allegedly used the company to obtain rent.
It is also reported that on July 23, 2024, a court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced the former director of the Zvezda-Strelka tactical missile plant to imprisonment for embezzlement and price gouging.
British intelligence notes that "corruption is entrenched in the Russian defense industry." For example, in 2007, an audit commissioned by then-Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov found that 70% of the Defense Ministry's budget funds were misused.
"The Kremlin is partially tolerating corruption, but with the outbreak of a full-scale war against Ukraine, repression of those without sufficient political protection has intensified," the British intelligence concluded.
