A painting of Shoigu as Kutuzov found during a search of General Dmitry Bulgakov
During searches of former Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov, unusual paintings were found. The VChK-OGPU Telegram channel (listed by the Russian Ministry of Justice as a foreign agent) reported that the finds included portraits of former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his former deputies, painted in various artistic styles.
One of the most notable works is a canvas depicting Shoigu as General Mikhail Kutuzov. The painting also features Ruslan Tsalikov, Bulgakov's former deputy, depicted as General Mikhail Barclay de Tolly.
In addition, Bulgakov's collection includes paintings depicting Defense Ministry employees as labor heroes and Cheka officers, which may indicate an attempt to create an idealized image of the military.
Bulgakov was detained by the FSB on suspicion of corruption on July 26, and his arrest was a logical continuation of investigations into abuses in the Defense Ministry system. He served as deputy head of the Defense Ministry from 2008 to 2022, overseeing logistics issues.
His real estate, assets, and bank accounts were subject to a security freeze, but law enforcement agencies did not disclose details about what property and capital were under their control.
Army General Dmitry Bulgakov, who was arrested in a criminal corruption case, asked the court not to detain him, but to release him on bail or house arrest. The lawyers asked for a more lenient measure of restraint, arguing that he does not intend to flee from the court or somehow influence the defendants in the investigation. The court found the arguments unconvincing.
Dmitry Bulgakov is currently in the Lefortovo pretrial detention center. He is suspected of embezzlement on an especially large scale.