Former governor smirnov detained in $39M fraud probe
Former Governor of the Kursk Oblast, Alexei Smirnov, has been detained on suspicion of fraud. The Russian politician was serving as governor when the region was attacked by Ukrainian forces.
What you need to know
- Smirnov's Detainment: The former governor of the Kursk Oblast was detained as part of a fraud investigation.
- Fraud Suspicions: Smirnov and his former deputy, Alexei Dedov, are suspected of embezzling budget funds during the construction of defense facilities.
- Alexei Smirnov: He was the governor of the Kursk Oblast when Ukrainian forces entered. The local population accused the authorities of inadequate defense of the areas.
What are the allegations against Smirnov?
Alexei Smirnov, who served as the governor of the Kursk Oblast from September to December 2024, has been detained on suspicion of fraud.
According to information provided by Russian agencies Interfax and TASS, the investigation concerns the embezzlement of budget funds allocated for the construction of defense facilities. His former deputy, Alexei Dedov, is also involved in the case.
The independent Russian portal Mediazona reports that testimony implicating Smirnov was provided by Vladimir Lukin, the former CEO of the Kursk Region Development Corporation. Lukin himself was previously detained on charges of abuse of power. According to TASS, the allegations involve the theft of funds during the construction of defense facilities.
Fictitious contracts
The General Prosecutor's Office is seeking to recover 3.2 billion rubles (approximately $39 million) from former and current employees of the Kursk Region Development Corporation and the contractors of the defensive lines' construction. The investigation revealed that the contracts for construction were fictitious and the funds were siphoned off by shell companies.
Ukrainian attack on Kursk Oblast
Kursk Oblast is located in western Russia, near the Ukrainian border. On August 6, 2024, Ukrainian forces entered the Kursk Oblast. A notable meeting of the Russian authorities took place a few days later when Governor Smirnov, reporting from the Kursk Oblast, was interrupted by Vladimir Putin, who ordered him to stop discussing the progress of Ukrainian forces.
In December 2024, Smirnov was removed from his position as governor. In Putin's decree, it was noted that he resigned from the post of regional head at his own request, reports Mediazona.
However, the portal recalls that before his resignation, refugees from Sudzha, one of the Russian towns taken by the Ukrainians, accused the authorities of poor organization in defending the border areas, which the Ukrainian army had entered.
