The Russian authorities have arrested the director of an arms factory on suspicion of fraud. It would concern export transactions with NATO countries, which were handled, among other things, through intermediaries in Switzerland and Austria.
This is reported by the daily newspaper Kommersant. Specifically, Yuri Schumsky is accused of stealing seven to ten percent of the contract amount through letterbox companies. Shumsky was appointed director of the state-owned enterprise “Sverdlov Plant” only shortly before the beginning of the war. It is one of the largest producers of explosives in the country.
Under its predecessor, there were a number of explosions and fires on the factory floor. After the start of the war against Ukraine, accidents also occurred at Russian defense companies, sparking speculation about sabotage.
Political background?
Russian State Duma deputy Dmitry Kuznetsov had called for an investigation and now spoke of the industry’s “self-purification” following the arrest. The arrest may also be politically motivated. Kuznetsov had previously criticized the export of explosives to Bulgaria, Britain, Serbia and Cyprus. This could have been used for military purposes in the “enemy NATO countries”.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
