Former Russian Deputy Defence Minister Sentenced to 19 Years for Corruption
A Russian military court in Moscow has sentenced former Deputy Defence Minister Pavel Popov to 19 years in prison for corruption, according to state media reports on Friday. The case centres on embezzlement of funds from Patriot Park, a sprawling military theme park in Moscow often dubbed Russia's "military Disneyland."
Details of the Corruption Case
Popov, who was arrested in 2024 and served as deputy defence minister from 2013 until his dismissal in June 2024, was found guilty of diverting over 25 million rubles (approximately $324,000) from the Patriot Park budget. Investigators determined that he used these funds for renovating his personal properties in the Moscow region.
In addition to the prison sentence, Popov was fined 85 million rubles (around $1.1 million). He pleaded not guilty during the trial, and his lawyer has announced plans to appeal the verdict.
Patriot Park: A Project of National Pride
Patriot Park is a significant project initiated by former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, designed to foster national pride among younger generations by showcasing Soviet and Russian weaponry. The park features a firing range, an air base, museums, a conference centre, and the massive khaki-coloured Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces.
The cathedral includes mosaics depicting Soviet and Russian soldiers, with President Vladimir Putin personally contributing funds to commission its main icon, according to Kremlin statements.
Broader Investigation into Military Leadership
Popov's case is part of a wider investigation into abuse of office within Russia's military leadership, which has implicated at least a dozen officials linked to former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. In this particular trial, Popov was accused alongside the park's director and Major General Vladimir Shesterov, deputy of the Defence Ministry's innovations department.
Both co-defendants received prison sentences of six and five years, respectively, highlighting the extent of the corruption uncovered in this high-profile case.
