Former Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov has been arrested on corruption charges, becoming the seventh high-ranking Defense Ministry official to face legal action since April. The arrest is seen as part of a wider purge of top military officials amidst the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Bulgakov, who served as deputy defense minister for administrative issues between 2008 and 2022, was taken into custody as part of a corruption probe, according to Russia's Investigative Committee.

The 69-year-old general has been accused of large-scale embezzlement, with charges punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Allegedly, Bulgakov oversaw the creation of a system to supply low-quality food rations to Russian troops at inflated prices. In April, three other individuals involved in the scheme were reportedly arrested.

The arrest of high-ranking defense ministry officials has been a recurring theme in recent months, with charges ranging from bribery to abuse of power. The series of arrests began with the detention of Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov in April, who was considered an ally of former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Shoigu himself was replaced by economist Andrei Belousov in May, following accusations of mishandling the war in Ukraine. Belousov, similar to his predecessor, had no prior military experience.

This week, another defense ministry official, Andrei Belkov, who headed the ministry's construction company, was also arrested on abuse of power charges. Investigators are reportedly examining Belkov's contracts, personal earnings, and connections during his tenure as the head of the military construction company.

These arrests and charges against high-ranking military officials indicate a comprehensive effort by Russian authorities to address corruption within the Defense Ministry. The ongoing investigation is part of the wider context of Russia's involvement in the invasion of Ukraine since February 2022.

The arrest of Dmitry Bulgakov, coupled with the previous cases, raises questions about the systemic corruption within the Russian military. It remains to be seen how these developments will impact the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the future management of the Defense Ministry.