The Russian military judicial system has delivered another harsh sentence as part of the ongoing, large-scale purges within the upper echelons of the Ministry of Defense. The 235th Garrison Military Court sentenced former Deputy Minister of Defense Pavel Popov to 19 years in a strict regime penal colony. This development, reported by Russian state-controlled media, highlights the deep-rooted corruption within the command structure of the invading forces.
Popov, who held the prestigious rank of Army General, was found guilty on multiple severe charges. These included receiving massive bribes, fraud, official forgery, abuse of power, and illegal possession of firearms. In addition to his lengthy prison term, the court stripped Popov of his military rank, all state awards, and the right to hold any public service positions for the next seven years. He was also ordered to pay a staggering fine of 85 million rubles.
One of the central episodes of the prosecution’s case revolved around extensive embezzlement linked to the construction and management of the “Patriot” military-patriotic park. This expansive project was originally spearheaded by Popov’s former boss, then-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and was intended to serve as a showcase of Russian military might and propaganda. Investigators revealed that between 2021 and 2024, Popov, who was directly responsible for the park’s development and daily operations, exploited the project for personal financial gain. Official estimates indicate that he siphoned off nearly 25.8 million rubles from this single initiative.
The investigation further uncovered a decade-long pattern of criminal behavior. From 2014 to 2024, the general systematically accepted illegal payments from the CEO of the “Bamstroyput” corporation. These bribes, which totaled more than 45 million rubles, were paid in exchange for Popov’s patronage and his direct assistance in securing lucrative government defense contracts.
The trial was conducted behind closed doors, a measure officially justified by the presence of classified state secrets within the case materials. Despite the overwhelming evidence presented, the 69-year-old former official adamantly refused to admit guilt on any of the charges. During the final sentencing, Popov was only able to appear via video link. Due to a severe deterioration in his health, the judge permitted him to remain seated.
His medical issues reportedly worsened significantly during his pre-trial detention. Earlier in the year, he was urgently hospitalized from the notorious Lefortovo pre-trial detention center. Over the summer, his lawyer confirmed that Popov was in critical condition at the Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Medicine.
Popov’s downfall is not an isolated incident but rather a continuation of the Kremlin’s systemic dismantling of Sergei Shoigu’s inner circle. His conviction closely mirrors the fate of another former Deputy Defense Minister, Timur Ivanov, who was recently sentenced to 13.5 years in prison and fined 100 million rubles for similar large-scale bribery. The ongoing purges expose the profound systemic decay within the Russian military apparatus, even as the country continues its war of aggression against Ukraine.