The Russian authorities have arrested Colonel Artyom Gorodilov, a high-ranking military officer, on charges of large-scale fraud. The state news agency TASS reported that Colonel Gorodilov, who previously commanded troops involved in the 2022 massacre in the Ukrainian city of Bucha, was apprehended on July 3.
Colonel Gorodilov is currently serving as the commander of the 83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade in the Russian Far East, engaged in operations in eastern Ukraine. Prior to this assignment, he led the 234th Guards Air Assault Regiment based in Pskov, Russia.
An investigation by The New York Times in 2022 linked members of the 234th Regiment to the massacre of civilians in Bucha. The colonel was present in the town during the tragic events, where numerous civilians lost their lives, some through brutal executions.
The U.S. government had previously imposed sanctions on Colonel Gorodilov for his alleged involvement in gross human rights violations, specifically extrajudicial killings. Despite the evidence, Moscow has denied any connection to the Bucha killings, dismissing them as a “provocation.”
Colonel Gorodilov’s arrest is part of a broader crackdown on corruption within the Russian Ministry of Defense. Several high-ranking officials have faced charges, signaling a significant shift in the country’s military leadership structure.
With the recent removal of Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu and the appointment of economic adviser Andrei R. Belousov to oversee military affairs, there seems to be a concerted effort to address corruption within the defense sector as Russia continues its military operations.
