**Russian Military Official Sentenced to 8.5 Years in Prison for Bribery**
A high-ranking Russian military official has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of taking a massive bribe. Major General Denis Putilov, the former head of the Central Military District’s armored vehicle service, was given an 8.5-year sentence by a Russian military court on August 11.
According to investigators, Putilov was involved in a large-scale bribery scheme that took place between 2023 and 2024. During this time, the Russian Defense Ministry signed over 140 million rubles (around $1.7 million) in contracts with a private entrepreneur to repair and maintain military equipment. However, instead of fulfilling these contracts, Putilov allegedly accepted a bribe of 10 million rubles ($125,000) for his “general patronage.”
This case is just the latest in a series of high-profile anti-corruption purges within Russia’s military leadership. At least eight senior defense officials have been jailed since former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was dismissed in 2024 as part of this purge.
Putilov’s arrest and sentencing come just months after he was promoted to major general by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The purge campaign, initiated by the Federal Security Service (FSB) and personally approved by Putin, is seen as a effort to root out corruption within the military.
“This is not an isolated case,” said Ivan Stupak, a Ukrainian military analyst and former Security Service officer. “The Kremlin’s purge is likely to deepen, with either you mysteriously dying or ending up behind bars.”
This sentiment was echoed by analysts who see Putilov’s sentencing as part of a broader effort to clean up the military. However, some question whether this purge will be effective in addressing the underlying issues within Russia’s armed forces.
**A Deeper Look at the Corruption Scandal**
The corruption scandal surrounding Putilov is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to graft and embezzlement within Russia’s military. The country’s defense ministry has been plagued by numerous scandals involving high-ranking officials and large-scale bribery schemes.
In July, former Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov was sentenced to 13 years in prison for accepting bribes. This case highlighted the deep-seated corruption within the military and raised questions about the effectiveness of Putin’s anti-corruption efforts.
The purge campaign initiated by the FSB has led to a number of high-profile arrests and convictions, but it remains to be seen whether this will have a lasting impact on the military’s culture of corruption. One thing is certain: the consequences for those found guilty are severe, with Putilov facing a lengthy prison sentence and being stripped of his rank.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
