Russian general charged with taking especially large bribe, faces 15 years
In short
Major-General Sergei Nikitushkin, head of the training and material base directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' Main Combat Training Directorate, has been charged with accepting an especially large bribe, RBC reported, citing two sources. Kommersant and Vedomosti carried the same account, saying he faces up to 15 years under part 6 of article 290 of the Criminal Code. The 235th garrison military court in Moscow ordered him held in custody at a hearing on 30 September, after investigators argued he could obstruct the case.
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Major-General Sergei Nikitushkin, head of the training and material base directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' Main Combat Training Directorate, has been charged with accepting an especially large bribe, according to RBC, whose report was cited by Kommersant and Vedomosti. RBC said the charge was based on two sources it did not identify. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The charge falls under part 6 of article 290 of the Criminal Code, which carries a prison term of up to 15 years, the outlets reported. Kommersant said the charge was filed by the Main Military Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to Kommersant and Vedomosti, the 235th garrison military court in Moscow ordered Nikitushkin held in custody at a hearing on 30 September. A representative of the Main Military Investigative Directorate told the court that Nikitushkin could obstruct the investigation if left at liberty, the outlets said, while his lawyer, Vyacheslav Kalnev, asked the court to place him under house arrest instead. [ 2 , 3 ]
The Main Combat Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces organises combat training and coordinates the work of military command bodies for the training of formations and units staffed by reservists, according to Kommersant. It also oversees the development of the training and material base and the supply of training equipment to the armed forces, and manages the Central Military-Patriotic Park of Culture and Rest “Patriot”, both Kommersant and Vedomosti reported. Vedomosti added that the directorate's tasks include planning, conducting and analysing exercises and introducing new methods of training service members. [ 2 , 3 ]
Vedomosti reported that Nikitushkin received the rank of major-general in December 2024. [ 3 ]
The outlets differ on when the custody order was issued: RBC said a military court sent Nikitushkin into custody the day before its 5 October report, while Kommersant and Vedomosti both date the hearing and the arrest to 30 September. No document states the sum of the alleged bribe, who allegedly paid it, or how Nikitushkin responds to the charge. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The case puts a serving general in charge of a directorate that supplies the army's training base at the centre of a bribery investigation, indicating continued anti-corruption proceedings inside the military establishment. The documents give no detail on any broader inquiry beyond this charge.
Key facts
- Major-General Sergei Nikitushkin heads the training and material base directorate of the Main Combat Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces. [ 2 , 3 ]
- He has been charged with accepting an especially large bribe under part 6 of article 290 of the Criminal Code. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The 235th garrison military court in Moscow ordered him held in custody; the hearing took place on 30 September. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Investigators argued that Nikitushkin could obstruct the investigation if left at liberty, while defence lawyer Vyacheslav Kalnev asked the court to place him under house arrest. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Nikitushkin received the rank of major-general in December 2024. [ 3 ]
- RBC attributed the charge to two unnamed sources, and Kommersant and Vedomosti both cited RBC's report. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Major-General Sergei Nikitushkin heads the training and material base directorate of the Main Combat Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces. [ 2 , 3 ]
- He has been charged with accepting an especially large bribe under part 6 of article 290 of the Criminal Code. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The 235th garrison military court in Moscow ordered him held in custody, at a hearing on 30 September. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- When the custody order was issued. RBC said a military court sent Nikitushkin into custody the day before its 5 October report, while Kommersant and Vedomosti date the hearing and arrest to 30 September.
- The amount of the alleged bribe, the alleged payer and the period involved. None of the documents state the sum or any circumstances beyond the charge itself.
- The sourcing for the charge. Kommersant and Vedomosti both attribute the charge to RBC's report citing two unnamed sources; no official statement from the Investigative Committee or the court is cited.
- Nikitushkin's response to the charge. No document reports whether he admits or denies it; the defence is described only as seeking a milder measure than custody.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The 235th garrison military court in Moscow holds a hearing on the investigators' request and orders Nikitushkin held in custody; his lawyer asks for house arrest. [ 2 , 3 ]
- RBC reports that Nikitushkin has been charged with an especially large bribe and had been placed in custody for two months. [ 1 ]
- Kommersant reports the charge, citing RBC and two sources, and details the directorate's responsibilities. [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti reports the charge and the 30 September court hearing, adding that Nikitushkin received his general's rank in December 2024. [ 3 ]