Top Russian Defense official detained: General Yuri Kuznetsov faces unknown charges
1:21 PM EDT, May 14, 2024
General Yuri Kuznetsov, the head of the Main Personnel Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense, has been detained on suspicion of committing a crime. Russian media reported that the Investigative Committee handles the case, with searches conducted at Kuznetsov's home and workplace.
General Yuri Kuznetsov, the head of the Main Personnel Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense, has been detained on suspicion of committing a crime, according to the Russian state news agency TASS, which cited security service sources. The specific charges against the military officer have not yet been disclosed, but it is known that Kuznetsov's residence and workplace were searched.
- "Lieutenant General General Kuznetsov was detained as a suspect in a criminal offense. The case is being investigated by the Main Military Investigation Department of the Russian Investigative Committee," - a TASS informant shared.
The news of Yuri Kuznetsov's arrest surfaced the day after Vladimir Putin made significant changes at the Russian Ministry of Defense. The ministry's former head, Sergei Shoigu, was dismissed and reassigned.
The reason for detention potentially linked to his previous role
The independent Russian portal Meduza reports that on May 13th, the 235th military garrison court in Moscow held a session to impose direct coercion against Yuri Vasilyevich Kuznetsov, head of the Ministry of Defense's personnel department. The outcome of this session remains undisclosed.
Meduza highlighted that pro-government Telegram channels had started speculating before Yuri Kuznetsov's arrest. The creator of the "Rybar" channel suggests that investigators are particularly interested in the general's past role as the "head of the service for protecting state secrets."
The independent Russian newspaper Kommersant recalls that in May 2023, Vladimir Putin signed a decree appointing Kuznetsov as the head of the Main Personnel Directorate of the Ministry of Defense. Kuznetsov is still listed on the ministry's official website. According to information from the Russian Ministry of Defense, Kuznetsov has "served in various positions in the state secret protection service."
