Russian Defense Ministry

The Russian Defense Ministry is the government agency responsible for overseeing the country's defense and military policies, including the management of armed forces, military strategy, and military operations.

CCI Score

-40.74

0.02% April 18

Latest Event

Forced Labor and Human Trafficking in Military Drone Production

Reports detail the coercion and exploitation of African and Sri Lankan women for forced labor in a Russian military drone production facility in Tatarstan, revealing severe labor rights violations directed by the Russian Defense Ministry.

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TOADIE

Russian Defense Ministry is currently rated as a Toadie.

-30 to -44 CCI Score

Companies scoring in this range actively seek to please authoritarian regimes. They offer proactive support and assistance in exchange for preferential treatment, compromising ethical standards for business gains and political favor.

Latest Events

OCT

11

2024

Forced Labor and Human Trafficking in Military Drone Production
-75.95

Reports detail the coercion and exploitation of African and Sri Lankan women for forced labor in a Russian military drone production facility in Tatarstan, revealing severe labor rights violations directed by the Russian Defense Ministry.
-80

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

April 1

The article describes how the Russian Defense Ministry financed a facility where African and Sri Lankan women are deceived, trafficked, and forced to work under dangerous conditions for military drone production. This exploitation, including illegal detention and hazardous labor practices, represents a stark violation of human rights and labor standards, reinforcing authoritarian practices.

The use of forced labor involving African citizens in Russia’s military factories reflects Moscow’s colonial approach to the African continent.
SEP

02

2024

Defense Official Detained on Corruption Charges
37.57

A Russian Defense Official was reportedly detained on corruption charges, a development that may signal an internal accountability measure within the Ministry amidst wider concerns about authoritarian practices.
+40

Public and Political Behavior

April 1

The detention of a defense official on corruption charges is interpreted as a move toward internal accountability, potentially undermining the opaque power structures typical of authoritarian regimes. Although details remain sparse, such actions can be viewed as a positive signal when combating entrenched authoritarianism and corruption.

Another Russian Defense Official Detained On Corruption Charges
MAY

24

2024

Crackdown on Corruption within Russian Defense Ministry
9.14

Several high‐ranking military officials of the Russian Defense Ministry have been arrested on corruption charges. The actions, beginning last month and continuing into early May, may signal an internal purge aimed at addressing longstanding graft amid a leadership reshuffle ahead of Putin's fifth term.
+10

Public and Political Behavior

April 1

The reported arrests indicate an effort to combat entrenched corruption within the Defense Ministry, suggesting a move toward greater accountability. From an anti‐fascist perspective, addressing corruption is a positive step against authoritarian misuse of power. However, given that the ministry remains a pillar of an authoritarian regime, systemic issues persist and limit the overall positive impact.

Why are top Russian military officials being arrested? | AP News
MAY

23

2024

Russian Ministry of Defense Conducts 'Great Purge'
-68.51

The Russian Ministry of Defense has initiated a widespread purge of senior military officers and officials in an alleged anti-corruption campaign. Key figures, including Lieutenant General Vadim Shamarin and Major General Ivan Popov, have been arrested. Analysts argue that the campaign is less about genuine anti-corruption efforts and more about consolidating loyalty and enforcing authoritarian control within the military.
-75

Public and Political Behavior

April 1

The purge is a clear example of authoritarian state behavior, using repressive measures to eliminate dissent and enforce loyalty within the ranks. Rather than addressing corruption transparently, the move appears designed to stoke fear and ensure compliance, a tactic often associated with fascist or authoritarian regimes.

Russian Ministry of Defense Conducts 'Great Purge'
MAY

14

2024

Bribery Scandal Uncovered at Russian Defense Ministry
-58.81

A senior official, Yury Kuznetsov, was detained on May 14, 2024, over allegations of accepting bribes from commercial entities while holding a key position in the Ministry. The scandal, occurring during a crucial period of military operations, highlights serious ethical breaches and misuse of public power within the institution.
-60

Public and Political Behavior

April 1

The bribery scandal exposes a severe misuse of authority within a government institution tasked with national defense. Such behavior undermines public trust, weakens accountability, and indirectly supports authoritarian practices by eroding transparency in political governance.

Bribery Rocks Russian Defense Ministry, Senior Officials Detained
-70

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

April 1

Involvement in bribery by a high-ranking official reflects a critical lapse in ethical standards and responsible business practices. This undermines institutional integrity and suggests that corruption is leveraged for personal gain, further harming public accountability and fostering an environment where authoritarian abuses can thrive.

Bribery Rocks Russian Defense Ministry, Senior Officials Detained
NOV

27

2023

Russian Defense Ministry Exacerbates Labor Crisis by Conscripting Skilled Workers
-64.85

A Business Insider article from November 27, 2023 reports that the Russian Defense Ministry is implementing policies that force highly-skilled workers and migrants to join military operations in Ukraine, worsening Russia’s domestic labor shortage. Experts decry the inconsistent Kremlin policies that undermine worker rights and diminish civilian well‑being.
-70

Public and Political Behavior

April 1

The Ministry’s policy reflects an authoritarian use of state power, prioritizing military objectives over civilian welfare. This approach undermines democratic accountability and disregards the needs of the domestic workforce, aligning with repressive governance practices.

Russia Is Making Its Labor Crisis Worse by Sending Workers to War...
-80

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

April 1

By conscripting highly-skilled workers and pressuring migrants into military contracts, the Ministry is severely undermining workers’ rights and exacerbating a critical labor shortage. Such actions are emblematic of authoritarian practices that devalue the contributions and rights of the labor force.

Russia Is Making Its Labor Crisis Worse by Sending Workers to War...
JAN

13

2023

Russian Defense Ministry Utilizes Forced Prison Labor
-63.79

The Russian Defense Ministry is reported to be employing prison labor to supplement arms production amid equipment shortages, reflecting the reintroduction of forced labor practices that raise serious human rights concerns.
-80

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

April 1

The article details that the Russian Defense Ministry is using prison labor to meet wartime production demands, a move that reintroduces forced labor. This practice undermines labor rights, devalues human dignity, and strengthens authoritarian policies by exploiting a marginalized population.

Russia Turning to Prison Labor as It Struggles to Make Enough Weapons: U.K.