Kremlin dismisses new EU sanctions

A hearing was held today in the second criminal case against former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov. Ivanov pleaded not guilty to the final indictment, which accuses him of receiving bribes totaling over 1.4 billion rubles from businessman Alexander Fomin between 2018 and 2023. The alleged bribes, detailed in a closed-door reading, included construction work, a non-repayable loan, and the construction of a bathhouse, in exchange for securing lucrative military construction contracts for Fomin's companies. The second defendant, Fomin, has agreed with the charges.