Russia (Europe Brief Newspaper): A Russian major general has been sentenced to six years in prison for fraud and forgery linked to embezzlement at a military theme park, RIA reports.
Last August, Major General Vladimir Shesterov was arrested for his involvement in the plot at Patriot Park, a war-themed tourist destination south of Moscow. Prosecution is also pending against two additional men, including former deputy defense minister Pavel Popov.
Citing the investigation’s materials, RIA claimed that Shesterov and the park’s former director, Vyacheslav Akhmedov, who is also detained, falsified records pertaining to finished building projects at the park totaling over 26 million roubles ($332,000).
In recent months, the Russian army has been engaged in a number of criminal proceedings against former high leaders, including the Patriot Park incident.
Although Shesterov acknowledged his wrongdoing, he maintained that the plan had not brought him any tangible benefits.
“I am to blame, I don’t whitewash myself, I sincerely repent,”
he said in court, according to RIA.
In his trial, Akhmedov has also pleaded guilty.
Popov, the former deputy defense minister, is still facing charges. According to RIA, Popov had directed Shesterov and Akhmedov to construct a two-story home, a sauna-equipped guest house, and a two-story garage for him on property he owned in the Moscow area, with the Defense Ministry paying for the construction.
Popov has denied any misconduct in the past. On Thursday, Reuters couldn’t get in touch with his attorney.
Patriot Park gives visitors the opportunity to climb on tanks and participate in battle simulations while showcasing an extensive collection of Russian and Soviet weapons. A photo gallery of “heroes of the special military operation”—Russia‘s official designation for its conflict in Ukraine—is also available on its website.
What does this case reveal about corruption risks in Russian military projects?
The conviction of Major General Vladimir Shesterov for large-scale fraud and forgery related to Patriot Park is not isolated—it highlights persistent, systemic corruption vulnerabilities in Russian military projects. This case is emblematic of broader, deeply rooted structural issues across Russia’s defense sector.
Senior officials have repeatedly diverted funds allocated for construction, equipment, and modernization. Fraudulent contracts and false documentation are common, as seen in both the Patriot Park case and prior incidents involving embezzlement of billions of rubles from state contracts and property deals.
Kickbacks, cost inflation, and ghost projects are entrenched; some analysts estimate that over 40% of Russia’s defense budget is siphoned off by corrupt practices, leading to doubled procurement costs in areas like armored vehicle production.
