Russian Ex-Defense Official Gets 13 Years for Graft

Former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov was sentenced to 13 years in prison for embezzlement and corruption, including laundering funds through foreign bank accounts and misappropriating money meant for ferries connecting Russia and occupied Crimea. Ivanov, responsible for military construction and logistics, was convicted of embezzling about 4.1 billion rubles (approximately $50 million). The court ordered the confiscation of his real estate, luxury cars, and state awards. The trial was held behind closed doors due to state secrecy, and Ivanov’s lawyers plan to appeal. Ivanov is the highest-ranking military official arrested since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The investigation has also led to arrests of other officials close to former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who now serves as secretary of Russia’s Security Council.