One of Russia’s most senior government officials, Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, has been arrested in a corruption probe, with prosecutors accusing him of embezzling military funds that he used to live a lavish life. He was also charged with bribery and Timur Ivanov, who denies the charges, was taken into custody by the Federal Security Service (FSB). His ex-wife was also arrested with him.
The 48-year-old is described by prosecutors as part of a “criminal conspiracy” in which he received kickbacks “on a particularly large scale” in his role overseeing military construction projects. Specifically, Ivanov, who has served as deputy minister since 2016, was in charge of real estate management, housing, construction and mortgages at the defense ministry, whose spending has skyrocketed since the start of the war in Ukraine.
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According to Russian media, Ivanov, who among other things is said to be in charge of the reconstruction work of the Russian-occupied Mariupol, had amassed enormous wealth, creating his own empire of luxury real estate and more. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison. Images of his opulent life had circulated around the world in the past, and he – along with his wife – had been the focus of several journalistic inquiries about real estate, travel and expensive purchases from Europe. Forbes magazine has ranked him among the richest men in the Russian security forces.
Timur Ivanov and his wife Svetlana
The couple’s villa in the south of France
The late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, in an investigation in 2022, had alleged that the official in question had transferred millions of dollars to his wife, who lavishly spent exorbitant sums on luxury yachts, jewelry and shopping in Paris. When the first allegations were published, Ivanov allegedly “divorced” his wife Svetlana, who later presented herself as a “successful businesswoman” and obtained Israeli citizenship. She even moved to the resort of Courchevel, an area for the very rich in France, while in Russia she reportedly has over 100 businesses to her name.
Upon news of Ivanov’s arrest, Maria Pevchih, president of the Navalny-founded Anti-Corruption Fund, wrote on social media that “today is a good day.”
Several Russian bloggers, close to the Kremlin, who have long accused high-ranking officials of the Russian military of incompetence and corruption, are also pleased with the development. Ivanov was also targeted for his lavish lifestyle, which was at odds with what Putin has said he does not want to see from his government officials. “It is clear that this is a Teutonic change,” said Yuri Podoliaka, one of the most popular pro-Russian military bloggers. “And this is not about Ivanov…I hope this is just the beginning.”
The couple’s huge mansion next to the Volga River
The yacht they had during their vacation in France
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, a close associate of Ivanov, had been warned of the impending arrest. Ivanov reportedly took part in meetings with Shoigu and other military officials exactly a day before he was jailed, and many see his arrest as demonstrating a conflict within Russia’s elite as well as a public statement of Putin’s intentions to crack down on of corruption plaguing Russia’s armed forces.
Kremlin leaks say Ivanov’s arrest is the start of a major anti-corruption operation, based on evidence gathered since 2019, and further mass removals and arrests are expected after May 7 and Putin’s official inauguration for his new term as President . According to the information, Ivanov’s arrest was to take place later, however, it was accelerated due to the presence of his “ex-wife” in Moscow.
It is also recalled that last month Vladimir Putin ordered the FSB to root out corruption in state defense procurement. “Let’s just say that the investigation did not start yesterday, the day before yesterday or even a month ago,” an unnamed source from Russian law enforcement agencies told the state-run TASS news agency. According to the same agency, the FSB military counterintelligence service was also involved in the case.
Svetlana behind the wheel of one of the couple’s two Rolls Royces
The couple at a luxurious party
Timur Ivanov drives the Rolls Royce and Svetlana enjoys it
