Monday 23 Sep 2024 @ 12:20
Chatham House
Printable version

Putin’s purging of defence ministry suggests he is preparing for a long war

EXPERT COMMENT

Arrested officials are serving as scapegoats following battlefield failures in Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Former Russian deputy defence minister Pavel Popov was detained by a military court on fraud charges on 29 August. This marks the latest in a series of moves by Russian law enforcement against high-ranking defence officials.

The senior leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defence has been in a fever since April 2024, when the decision was made to remove Sergei Shoigu as minister. 10 people have lost their posts, with eight of them having been arrested.

The officials targeted are accused of illegal activities relating to conducting ministry business for personal purposes or for receiving bribes as part of the defence contracting process.

One factor linking at least three of the cases relates to the construction of Patriot Park, including the main cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces. The park was built in a hurry – and so the Kremlin initially turned a blind eye to illegal activity, prioritizing completing construction swiftly. Now that the building is finished, there is time to carry out investigations. One of those arrested is Vyacheslav Akhmedov, the park’s director.

These are the types of charges that could be levelled against any high-ranking military official involved with business, so the singling out of individuals must be for reasons beyond their alleged guilt for these specific crimes.

Click here to continue reading the full version of this Expert Comment on the Chatham House website.

 

Channel website: https://www.chathamhouse.org/

Original article link: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/09/putins-purging-defence-ministry-suggests-he-preparing-long-war

Share this article
RESEARCH EXPERTS EVENTS MEMBERSHIP ACADEMY ABOUT

 

Latest News from
Chatham House

How an AI bubble bursting could erode US tech dominance and accelerate China's rise

17/12/2025 09:20:00

There are growing concerns that the AI sector may be overvalued. If an AI bubble does burst, China could benefit in the long term.

Global security continued to unravel in 2025. Crucial tests are coming in 2026

16/12/2025 10:20:00

Alarming events in nuclear proliferation, space security and hybrid warfare meant 2025 was a year in which the international security order deteriorated.

Russia is weakened, but its influence in the Middle East should not be underestimated

12/12/2025 12:20:00

A widespread, but misleading, assumption holds that Moscow’s current weakness signals its inevitable retreat from the region. In reality, Russia has deepened its entrenchment.

China’s record $1 trillion-plus trade surplus shows the renminbi should be allowed to appreciate

10/12/2025 09:25:00

China’s surging high-tech competitiveness, weak appetite for imports and undervalued renminbi have fuelled the huge surplus – but the trend is unsustainable.

The Donbas region remains an intractable issue in talks between Russia and Ukraine

09/12/2025 12:20:00

Europe should look to history to prepare for the realities of long-term occupation of Ukrainian territory.

UK’s indecision over Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ highlights need for a more coherent China policy

04/12/2025 12:20:00

The UK government needs a more strategic approach to deal with potential espionage and foreign interference from Beijing.

Putin’s India visit aims to reaffirm New Delhi–Moscow relations – just as Trump applies pressure to downgrade them

03/12/2025 09:20:00

US pressure aims to choke off Russian oil supplies to India. Modi and Putin are seeking to deepen cooperation in other areas. But in the long-term, relations are in a managed decline.

Zelenskyy’s right-hand man has gone. Here’s what should happen next

02/12/2025 15:25:00

Andriy Yermak resigned amid a corruption scandal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must now re-balance power and strengthen democracy by empowering the government, parliament and local authorities.

The UK’s new critical minerals strategy is an ambitious step forward. Now it needs a champion

01/12/2025 15:25:00

The government’s ambitions are welcome, but require dedicated leadership and international support in order to succeed.

Active Wellbeing is back with a brand-new challenge!