MOSCOW (Realist English). Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case against former First Deputy Defense Minister Ruslan Tsalikov, accusing him of creating a criminal organization and embezzling state funds.
The announcement was made Thursday by Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko on Telegram.
According to investigators, the alleged crimes relate to the misuse of budget funds between 2017 and 2024. Tsalikov is accused of organizing a criminal group using his official position, involvement in 12 episodes of embezzlement, money laundering, and two cases of bribery.
The case materials were collected by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), the investigative department and the Interior Ministry’s Main Directorate for Economic Security and Anti-Corruption.
Authorities said Tsalikov has been detained and a court will decide on pretrial restrictions. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
Tsalikov worked with former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu since the 1990s, beginning in the Emergency Situations Ministry. He later moved to the Defense Ministry alongside Shoigu and served as first deputy minister from 2015 to 2024.
Media reports previously indicated that Tsalikov oversaw public relations and communications within the Defense Ministry.
He is the fourth former deputy of Shoigu to come under investigation since spring 2024 as part of a wider anti-corruption campaign within Russia’s defense establishment.