In a surprising turn of events, Russian Deputy Defence Minister Timur Ivanov has been arrested on charges of "grand bribery" and could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. Ivanov, known as "the King of Kickbacks" among colleagues, was taken into custody this week for allegedly accepting bribes as part of an organized group while working on contracted and subcontracted projects for the Defence Ministry.

Ivanov's arrest came as a shock to him, but evidence against him has been mounting for some time. Forbes had previously named him as Russia's richest person in uniform back in 2019, and in 2022, Alexei Navalny's team conducted an investigation into his "glamorous life." The investigation alleged that Ivanov had profited from reconstruction projects in occupied Mariupol through his role in military infrastructure projects.

Russian investigators had seemingly taken a while to catch onto Ivanov's lavish lifestyle, which was evident through social media posts showcasing his wife's boutique shopping, European travels, and even a fascination with thrones. Many wonder why it took authorities so long to take action against Ivanov, given his reputation for opulence.

However, the answer may lie in Ivanov's close association with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. The arrest was highly publicized, with Ivanov being detained at his workplace and the case receiving coverage from state media. This suggests that his downfall serves as a warning to others. TASS even noted that "Shoigu has been updated on the situation."

Speculation has been rife regarding the true reason behind Ivanov's arrest. Independent Russian media sources quoted FSB (Federal Security Service) insiders claiming that the charges of bribery might actually be a cover for state treason. The sources suggest that Ivanov's involvement in negotiations with the son of the late mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin for control over natural resources could be the true cause for his arrest. The Kremlin, however, dismissed these claims.

The arrest of Ivanov raises questions about the stability of Shoigu's position as Defence Minister. Russian defence sources have mentioned that this could be the beginning of a series of removals of individuals close to Shoigu, possibly leading to his eventual departure. Last month, President Vladimir Putin ordered the FSB to crack down on corruption in state defence procurement, providing a convenient cover for such a purge.

There are indications that Shoigu himself might be under pressure. His recent statements following the passage of US military aid for Ukraine suggest a need to demonstrate significant battlefield progress, possibly due to internal pressures. Despite recent gains on the battlefield, Putin might be seeking to optimize the army in anticipation of an expected summer offensive or out of concern about potential US aid to Ukraine.

As the investigation into Ivanov unfolds, it becomes clear that his case is far more complex than it initially appeared. The arrest of such a high-ranking military official sends a strong signal about the Russian government's intentions to combat corruption within its ranks. Whether this move by Putin is motivated by military restructuring or external pressures, its implications for the nation's defense apparatus remain to be seen.