Former Kursk governor Smirnov detained in fraud probe
The former governor of Kursk Oblast, Alexei Smirnov, has been detained on suspicion of fraud. The Russian politician was serving as governor when the region was attacked by Ukrainian forces.
What do you need to know?
- Smirnov's detainment: The former governor of Kursk Oblast was detained as part of a fraud investigation.
- Fraud suspicions: Smirnov and his former deputy, Alexei Dedov, are suspected of embezzling budget funds during the construction of defence facilities.
- Alexei Smirnov was the governor of Kursk Oblast when Ukrainian forces entered. The local population accused the authorities of inadequate defence of the areas.
What are the allegations against Smirnov?
Alexei Smirnov, who served as the governor of Kursk Oblast from September to December 2024, has been detained on suspicion of fraud.
According to information provided by Russian agencies "Interfax" and TASS, the investigation concerns the embezzlement of budget funds allocated for the construction of defence facilities. His former deputy, Alexei Dedov, is also involved in the case.
The independent Russian portal Mediazona reports that testimony implicating Smirnov was provided by Vladimir Lukin, the former CEO of the Kursk Region Development Corporation. Lukin himself was previously detained on charges of abuse of power. According to TASS, the allegations involve the theft of funds during the construction of defence facilities.
Fictitious contracts
The General Prosecutor's Office is seeking to recover 3.2 billion rubles (approximately CAD 54 million) from former and current employees of the Kursk Region Development Corporation and the contractors of the defensive lines' construction. The investigation revealed that the contracts for construction were fictitious and the funds were siphoned off by shell companies.
Ukrainian attack on Kursk Oblast
Kursk Oblast is located in western Russia, near the Ukrainian border. On August 6, 2024, Ukrainian forces entered the Kursk Oblast. A memorable meeting of the Russian authorities took place a few days later when Governor Smirnov, reporting from Kursk Oblast, was interrupted at one point by Vladimir Putin, who ordered him to stop discussing the progress of Ukrainian forces.
In December 2024, Smirnov was removed from his position as governor. In Putin's decree, it was noted that he resigned from the post of regional head at his own request, reports Mediazona.
However, the portal recalls that before his resignation, refugees from Sudzha, one of the Russian towns taken by the Ukrainians, accused the authorities of poor organization of the defence of border areas, which the Ukrainian army had entered.
