Another Russian general from Shoigu’s team is jailed for corruption  

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**Russian General Sentenced to 8.5 Years in Prison for Bribery**

In a major corruption crackdown, a Russian military court has sentenced Major General Denis Putilov to 8.5 years in prison for taking a massive bribe. This is at least the eighth time a senior defense official has been jailed since former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was dismissed in 2024.

According to investigators, between 2023 and 2024, the Russian Defense Ministry signed contracts worth over 140 million rubles ($1.7 million) with a private entrepreneur to repair and maintain military equipment. Putilov, who oversaw this process, allegedly accepted a 10 million ruble ($125,000) bribe in exchange for “general patronage.” As a result, the contracts were left unfulfilled, causing significant damage to the state.

This case is part of a larger anti-corruption purge within Russia’s military leadership. Putilov’s arrest in September 2024 came just four months after he was promoted to major general by President Vladimir Putin. This promotion was seen as a surprise move at the time, and it has now been revealed that Putilov’s case is linked to the ongoing corruption investigation.

**The Purge Deepens**

This sentencing follows the July 1 conviction of former Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, who received 13 years in prison. The purge campaign was initiated by the Federal Security Service (FSB) and personally approved by Putin. Ukrainian military analyst Ivan Stupak has warned that this crackdown is likely to deepen, saying “either you mysteriously die, or you end up behind bars.”

**Consequences for Putilov**

Putilov’s sentence includes a loss of rank and a ban on holding government positions for six years after release from prison. His case highlights the severity of corruption within Russia’s military leadership and the consequences of being caught. This is a stark reminder that in Russia, corruption can have serious repercussions, even for high-ranking officials.

Read More @ kyivindependent.com

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