The Military Court of the 2nd Western District is examining a case that involves allegations of abuse of authority by Colonel Sergei Volkov, who previously led the technical development and resource support division of the Russian Guard Maritime Directorate. The proceedings, reported by Kommersant, focus on alleged fraud connected with efforts to counter Ukrainian drone activity and the resulting vulnerability of the Crimean Bridge.
Investigators say that in 2020 the Russian Guard decided to acquire two anti-drone systems intended for use at the Kerch Strait crossing and entrusted the project to Colonel Volkov. They note that the move came as the fiscal year neared its end, raising concerns about funds that might otherwise be returned to the budget if not obligated.
According to the investigation, Volkov sought to sidestep potential penalties and prepared an application for purchasing two Orel-UAV complexes whose specifications did not align with the stated terms of reference. He then forwarded the documents to the procurement arm of the Russian Guard and oversaw an ensuing auction that culminated in the purchase of the specified systems. The equipment, valued at 395 million rubles, was approved by a departmental commission in October 2021, and subsequent tests in November showed that the systems failed to suppress drone radio signals.
By late March 2023, Volkov had been detained in Moscow. He faces charges alleging improper use of budget funds and diminished protection of the Crimean Bridge in the theater of operations associated with the Northern Military District.
On 17 July 2023, Ukraine reported an attack on the Crimean Bridge by marine drones, an incident that caused two fatalities and damage to the crossing. The case has sparked discussions about accountability and the oversight of defense expenditures in sensitive border regions.
Earlier reports in Crimea mentioned the involvement of three countries in the drone-related attacks on the bridge, underscoring the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the incident and the security implications for the region.