Russian deputy defense minister detained in massive fraud scheme

In Russia, former Deputy Defense Minister and General of the Army Pavel Popov has been detained. He is accused of fraud related to constructing and maintaining the "Patriot" Park.

According to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, Popov enriched himself at the expense of the implementation of "Patriot" Park while overseeing its implementation. He allegedly acted in collusion with the park’s director, Vyacheslav Akhmedov, and the Deputy Head of the Main Directorate for Innovative Development of the Ministry of Defense, Vladimir Shesterov.

The thefts are estimated to exceed 30-40 million rubles ($300k - $400k).

It was discovered that Popov organized construction and renovation work at the park's expense and arranged to deliver various materials to his farmland in the Krasnogorsk district.

Additionally, he coerced the heads of commercial organizations into carrying out construction and installation work in his apartments without paying for it.

Popov and his family own properties in prestigious districts of Moscow, the Moscow region, and the Krasnodar Territory. Their total cost is over 500 million rubles ($5.3 million). On June 17th, Putin decreed that Popov be dismissed.

The former Deputy Minister faces up to 10 years in prison.

"Patriot" Park is a themed park in Kubinka, Russia. It showcases equipment from the Russian army and the Soviet Union's victory in World War II.

The park includes the Aviation Museum at the Kubinka airbase and the Tank Museum in Kubinka. In 2020, the Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was completed, and work is ongoing to establish the Museum of the Armed Forces. Since 2015, the park has hosted the International Military-Technical Forum "Army."

The park spans an area of 13,000 acres, with shooting ranges covering 400 acres.