Arrest of Shoigu's deputy is most serious scandal in Russian Defense Ministry since 2012 - British intelligence

This was reported by the UK Ministry of Defense.

It is noted that Ivanov's income declaration for 2018 allegedly states that he owns 22 cars.

At the same time, analysts say that reports of Ivanov's luxurious lifestyle "sit awkwardly" with Russian President Vladimir Putin's February address to the national elite, which comprises the "heroes" of the so-called special military operation.

"The Ivanov affair is the most serious scandal to hit the MOD since then Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov was dismissed in November 2012," analysts say.

Who is Timur Ivanov?

Timur Ivanov is considered one of the most important members of Sergei Shoigu's team. He has served as Deputy Defense Minister since 2016. Prior to that, he headed Oboronstroy JSC for three years. Previously, he worked as a deputy prime minister of the Moscow region and at Russian fuel and energy companies.

Ivanov was in charge of construction-related issues at the Defense Ministry. In particular, he was responsible for the creation of the main temple of the armed forces, the Vostochny cosmodrome, and after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he was responsible for the project to "restore" occupied Mariupol.

In 2022, Alexei Navalny's team found Timur Ivanov's real estate in Moscow, the Moscow region and Tver region worth more than $1 billion.

What preceded it

On April 23, the Russian Investigative Committee announced Ivanov's detention. 

At the same time, the Russian media outlet Meduza reported that there was an unofficial version of Ivanov's arrest - he was allegedly suspected of treason. At the same time, Ivanov's lawyer Murad Musayev told RIA Novosti that "there are no other charges than the announced bribery charge".

The next day, Ivanov was arrested until June 23, 2024. On the evening of April 24, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu issued an order to remove Timur Ivanov from his position as deputy.