President Vladimir Putin issued a formal decree that redefines the supervisory board of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, a move that touches the governance of a body closely tied to Russia’s patriotic and civic initiatives. The official document was published on the legal information portal, making the changes officially binding and traceable in the public record. The decree signals a shift in the board’s composition and scope, outlining which individuals will sit on the council and how their duties align with the foundation’s mission in Russia’s public life. In effect, the action demonstrates executive oversight in a sector where leadership changes respond to ongoing political and legal developments, and observers will be watching how the new lineup shapes the foundation’s program priorities, oversight practices, and interactions with government ministries. The measure also sets out the practical start of the new arrangement, clarifying how the board will function under the updated governance framework and what this means for governance continuity within the organization.
According to the decree, Timur Ivanov, a former Deputy Minister of Defense, was removed from the council amid allegations connected to accepting large bribes. The document also shows the departure of Oleg Matytsin, who previously served as Minister of Sports, as well as Bishop Panteleimon, whose secular name is Arkady Shatov, and Andrei Turchak, the head of the Altai Republic. These removals accompany the reshuffle and illustrate how governance bodies are realigned in contexts where high-profile figures face legal scrutiny. The decree lists the names of those stepping away from the fund’s supervisory board and signals a broader renewal of the leadership roster. The grounds cited relate to ongoing investigations and formal charges, rather than judgments about the foundation’s operations, and the changes pave the way for fresh appointments that could influence the foundation’s policy direction, risk management, and collaboration with public institutions in the current political climate.
With the same decree, Putin added Mikhail Degtyarev, the Sports Minister, Kirill, the Metropolitan of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk, and Vladimir Yakushev, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council, to the fund’s supervisory board. Degtyarev brings experience from government and sport administration, Kirill adds ecclesiastical leadership and regional insight, and Yakushev contributes a legislative perspective from the upper chamber. The new appointments broaden the board’s composition to include perspectives from government, religious leadership, and regional governance, potentially shaping funding priorities, oversight practices, and cross-sector collaboration in areas such as national service, youth programs, veterans’ affairs, and patriotic education. The decree lays out the updated board configuration, emphasizing continuity in the foundation’s mission while integrating fresh leadership from diverse public sectors and communities.
Former Deputy Minister of Defense Timur Ivanov was detained in April 2024. He is accused of accepting bribes on an especially large scale under Part 6 of Article 290 of the Criminal Code, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years. The criminal case also includes Ivanov’s alleged accomplice, businessman Sergei Borodin, and the head of Olimpsitstroy, Alexander Fomin, who is accused of bribery. Investigators allege that Ivanov provided free assistance to companies performing work at facilities under his purview in exchange for payments, with the total bribe reportedly exceeding one billion rubles. Ivanov has denied the charges, stating that the allegations do not reflect his actions. The case underscores ongoing concerns about corruption, governance, and the line between public service and private sector interests within state-linked projects and procurement processes.
Earlier reports noted that an Escalade, a Gelandewagen, and a rare car were seized in connection with the Ivanov matter. Such asset restraints have appeared in coverage of the investigation, illustrating the breadth of investigative actions and efforts to trace proceeds or gains tied to the case. The public record shows prosecutors pursuing a wide-ranging inquiry that encompasses both the official conduct under investigation and the associated financial and logistical elements, while Ivanov and other defendants deny wrongdoing and await judicial proceedings to determine the facts and accountability truly warranted by the case.