Finance
Russia charges ex-deputy defence minister with corruption
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 5, 2026
1 min readLast updated: March 5, 2026
Quick Summary
Russia’s Investigative Committee on March 5, 2026 announced corruption charges against ex‑First Deputy Defence Minister Ruslan Tsalikov, accused of embezzlement, money laundering and bribe‑taking—the latest in a sweeping anti‑graft drive targeting top military figures.
Russia Charges Ex-Deputy Defence Minister Ruslan Tsalikov With Corruption
Corruption Charges and Prosecutions in Russia's Defence Ministry
Background of the Charges
MOSCOW, March 5 (Reuters) - Russia has charged a former deputy defence minister with corruption, investigators said on Thursday, in the latest of a series of prosecutions against top figures in the military establishment.
Details of the Accusations
The state Investigative Committee said Ruslan Tsalikov was accused of embezzlement, money laundering and bribe-taking.
Tsalikov's Tenure and the Broader Crackdown
Tsalikov served as first deputy defence minister from 2015 to 2024, when a series of corruption cases led to the arrest of a string of generals, deputy ministers and civilian defence civilians.
Other High-Profile Cases
Timur Ivanov's Conviction
Another former deputy minister, Timur Ivanov, was jailed for 13 years in July 2025.
Leadership Changes in the Defence Ministry
Roles of Ivanov and Tsalikov
Ivanov and Tsalikov served under Sergei Shoigu, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Shoigu was removed as defence minister in 2024, and appointed secretary of Russia's Security Council.
(Reporting by Reuters, Writing by Felix Light; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
Key Takeaways
- •Ruslan Tsalikov served as first deputy defence minister from 2015 to 2024 and now faces charges of embezzlement, money laundering and bribery under Russia’s criminal statutes.
- •This development continues a broader Kremlin‑led anti‑corruption campaign focused on the Defence Ministry, which saw the July 1, 2025 conviction of former deputy minister Timur Ivanov, who received a 13‑year sentence for embezzling some 3.9 billion rubles and laundering funds, while having his assets seized and state awards stripped (themoscowtimes.com).
- •Ivanov’s case marked one of the harshest punishments so far, illustrating the severity of the graft crackdown. Tsalikov’s indictment signals the campaign’s continuation into 2026, suggesting sustained pressure on military‑industrial elites (themoscowtimes.com).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Russia charges ex-deputy defence minister with corruption
1Who was charged with corruption in Russia?
Former deputy defence minister Ruslan Tsalikov was charged with corruption, including embezzlement, money laundering, and bribe-taking.
2What roles did Ruslan Tsalikov serve in the Russian Defence Ministry?
Ruslan Tsalikov served as first deputy defence minister from 2015 to 2024.
3What other high-level Russian officials have been prosecuted for corruption recently?
Other officials, including former deputy minister Timur Ivanov, have also been prosecuted; Ivanov was jailed for 13 years in July 2025.
4Under whom did Tsalikov and Ivanov serve?
Tsalikov and Ivanov both served under Sergei Shoigu, the former Russian defence minister.
5What position does Sergei Shoigu hold now?
Sergei Shoigu was removed as defence minister in 2024 and appointed secretary of Russia's Security Council.
