In a continuation of Russian President Vladimir Putin's military shake-up, former Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov has been arrested on charges of fraud. The arrest comes as part of a broader crackdown on corruption within the top echelons of Russia's defense establishment. Popov, who was removed from his position in June after serving for 11 years, is the latest high-ranking official linked to former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to be implicated in corruption investigations.

The arrest of Popov follows the detention of eight other military officials since April, in what has been described as a "cleansing" of the Russian Ministry of Defense. This purge also involved the dismissal of Defense Minister Shoigu, who was replaced by economist Andrei Belousov.

The charges against Popov stem from allegations of misusing resources designated for the construction of a military theme park called Patriot Park, located near Moscow. According to Russia's Investigative Committee, the misuse of funds occurred between 2021 and 2024. If convicted, Popov could face up to 10 years in jail.

A video released by state-run news agency Tass showed Popov being escorted to a Moscow court in handcuffs, highlighting the seriousness of the case. The arrests of high-ranking military officials, including Popov, Timur Ivanov, Vladimir Verteletsky, Vadim Shamarin, Yuri Kuznetsov, Major General Ivan Popov, and Andrei Belkov, underscore the extent of the corruption problem within the defense establishment.

Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and founder of R.Politik: Reality of Russian Politics, commented on the significance of Popov's arrest, stating, "Now this is, of course, a blow to Shoigu." This suggests that the investigation is not limited to Popov alone but may have wider implications within the upper echelons of the defense ministry.

Experts such as Andrei Soldatov, a leading expert on Russia's security services, have speculated that these arrests are likely being ordered by Putin himself. Soldatov believes that the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Investigative Committee do not initiate such investigations independently but rather act on orders from the president's administration.

The ongoing corruption probe within the Russian Ministry of Defense reflects Putin's determination to root out systemic corruption and tighten his control over key institutions. As the investigations progress, it remains to be seen if these arrests will lead to further revelations and repercussions within Russia's defense establishment.

Newsweek has reached out to Russia's Defense Ministry for comment on this matter. The series of arrests raises questions about the scale of corruption within the defense establishment and the potential impact on Russia's military capabilities.

As the situation develops, the Russian government faces mounting pressure to address corruption issues and ensure transparency within its defense apparatus. The consequences of these arrests could have far-reaching implications for the stability and effectiveness of Russia's armed forces.