1/ Russia has experienced a huge increase in corruption cases over the last five years, with over 50,000 cases being heard in that time, 3 trillion rubles ($35 billion) in stolen assets being recovered, and a 500% increase in the number of top officials being arrested. ⬇️
2/ The Ukraine war has provided unprecedented opportunities for Russian officials to enrich themselves, which has been reflected in a massive increase in corruption cases involving government officials and their collaborators in private and state-owned enterprises. 3/ Russian warblogger Anastasia Kashevarova calls the stories from the security forces "simply outrageous, the pinnacle of greed; they truly pine over gold. One [official] tried to burn dollars in a microwave, as you can imagine, they didn't burn." 4/ "Another was found with billions in cash and watches worth hundreds of millions. Where does all this go? Where are the boundaries of theft?" 5/ She notes that "in 2018–2022, an average of 28 [top officials] were arrested per year, then in 2023, the figure was 53, in 2024, 91, and in 2025, 110. A total of 278 criminal cases were opened against 252 officials in 2022–2025." 6/ "Why do they steal, knowing they'll go to jail? That's the main question. [Igor] Vasilyev, the general director of Patriot Park, knew his predecessor was in prison. He knew his deputies had been arrested. He knew he was being watched. And yet he took the bribe anyway. 7/ "This isn't just corruption. It's a disease. An addiction. Like a drug addict – he knows he'll die, but he still shoots up. The security forces have been given orders: jail all embezzlers and open cases. 8/ "The Ministry of Defence openly declares: "Intolerance for any manifestations of corruption is an absolute priority." [Minister of Defence Andrey] Belousov expands the powers of his deputy, giving him access to Central Bank data for anti-corruption audits. 9/ And yet they still steal. Just like under Peter the Great, who was told: "If you jail all the embezzlers, there will be no one left in the state." This is Russia's scourge, one that no tsar, no president, no ruler has been able to overcome. 10/ "What needs to be done: First, ensure the inevitability of punishment. Not selectively, but absolutely. If a person is detained, they must go to jail. If guilty, they get a prison sentence. No "bargaining with the investigation" to save time. 11/ "Second. Stop appointing people who have compromised themselves to positions. Vasilyev was a governor, left, then resurfaced at Patriot Park. Someone who failed in one position shouldn't be given a second one. Especially since they were already under surveillance. 12/ "Third. Change the elites. When they steal at the top, they steal at the bottom. When they see one of their own going unpunished, they think, "I can do it too." As long as the system preserves its own, it will steal. 13/ "Fourth. Tougher penalties. Confiscation of all property. Inability to hold office, otherwise it turns out they stole, were fired, then were amnestied, and are again appointed to high positions. As happened, for example, with [former Minister of Defence Anatoly] Serdyukov. 14/ "If we have the term "foreign agent," then introduce "corrupt official" and a black mark. There's a war going on. There's a shortage of everything at the front. People are chipping in, buying things, raising 8 million for a terminally ill child. 15/ "And these people steal. 80 million. 18 million. 100 million. Billions. Trillions. 16/ "Nothing can stop these people. Not fear, not conscience, not faith. Only harsh methods and the inevitability of punishment. They must know that they will go to jail, and their families will lose everything." Source: t.me