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They allegedly stole bonuses worth 7 million rubles.
Two senior officers stationed in Russia’s Kursk region have been convicted in a case involving the alleged misappropriation of funds from subordinates.
According to the independent Russian outlet ASTRA, the Kursk Garrison Military Court found two lieutenant colonels guilty of abuse of office under Article 286 of Russia’s Criminal Code.
One officer, identified as I.I. Karamyshev, received a six-year prison sentence, while D.S. Otegenov was sentenced to five years. Both men were stripped of their ranks and state awards.
Authorities said the pair unlawfully collected money from soldiers under their command, taking payments that had been awarded for participation in combat missions.
Scheme uncovered
According to the press service of the Kursk regional courts, the officers repeatedly organized the collection of funds from personnel.
“It follows from the materials of the criminal cases: lieutenant colonels D.S. Otegenov and I.I. Karamyshev repeatedly organized the collection of funds from subordinate military personnel, which they received as a reward for successfully completing combat missions of a special military operation,” the statement said, according to ASTRA.
Investigators concluded that more than 7 million rubles ($93.500) were taken and used at the officers’ discretion.
Unit connections
ASTRA reported that the case likely involves the 448th Missile Brigade, known as military unit 35535.
Open-source data reviewed by the publication suggests both men served in that unit, which has been linked to Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine since 2022.
The brigade has also been associated with fighting in the Kursk region between 2024 and 2025, according to available records.
Ukrainian authorities have previously accused elements of the same brigade of involvement in missile strikes, including an attack on Sumy on March 13, 2025, which reportedly killed 35 people and injured more than 120.
Widespread fraud in the Russian ranks
The issue of fraud and blackmail in the Russian army is far from new.
In February 2026, The Telegraph reported that Russian commanders forced soldiers to pay $40,000 or be sent to the front line.
In a special report from early April 2026, PBS reported that wounded Russian soldiers have to pay thousands of dollars in order to be declared unfit for battle—or risk being sent back to fight.
Sources: ASTRA, Kursk regional court press service, open-source data, Ukrainian media reports, The Telegraph, PBS
