Surge in Criminal Prosecutions Over Defense Contract Breaches in Russia

Russian officials have brought criminal charges against at least 34 individuals due to their inability to meet state defense contracts following the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to a report from Reuters on Monday, which referenced documents from the Moscow general jurisdiction courts website.

Among those charged, Reuters noted that at least 11 are leaders of companies, while two hold senior executive positions.

At least five individuals have already received prison sentences that could last up to six years.

Approximately 15 others remain in pre-trial detention.

Dmitry Medvedev, the former President and current first deputy of Russia’s Military-Industrial Commission, cautioned defense industry executives in 2023 that failing to adhere to contractual obligations could lead to criminal repercussions.

The Moscow Times’ Russian service reported that 43 criminal cases associated with state defense contracts were registered in courts during the initial eight months of 2025, marking the highest figure since the onset of the full-scale war.

In comparison, there were 34 such cases in 2024, 36 in 2023, and 32 in 2022. Before the war, annual caseloads had never exceeded 23 over the prior three years.

Of the 43 cases filed between January and August 2025, 28 were directly attributed to contract failures, 13 involved bribery, and two pertained to large-scale fraud.

This year, authorities have increasingly invoked laws regarding abuse of authority and contract violations, while in 2024, nearly half of the cases involved fraud.

Bribery incidents have also surged, with 13 cases reported in the first eight months of 2025, up from seven in 2024, nine in 2023, and ten in 2022.