Former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov Sentenced to 19 Years for Patriot Park Embezzlement

A military court in Moscow sentenced former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov to 19 years in prison on April 10, 2026, for corruption related to the embezzlement of state funds.

The court found that Popov diverted over 25 million rubles, approximately $324,000, from the budget of Patriot Park, a military theme park in Moscow. According to investigators, the embezzled funds were used to renovate Popov’s personal properties in the Moscow region.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of 85 million rubles, roughly $1.1 million.

Details of Patriot Park

Patriot Park, which is sometimes referred to as Russia’s military Disneyland, was a project of former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The park is designed to showcase Soviet and Russian weaponry to inspire national pride in younger generations.

The facility includes museums, a conference center, an air base, and a firing range. It also features the Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces, a massive khaki-colored church decorated with mosaics of Russian and Soviet soldiers. The Kremlin has stated that President Vladimir Putin personally donated the funds used to commission the main icon for the cathedral.

Popov was responsible for the development and maintenance of the park during his tenure.

Co-defendants and Broader Investigation

Popov was accused of fraud alongside other officials. The director of Patriot Park was sentenced to six years in prison, and Maj. Gen Vladimir Shesterov, the deputy of the Defense Ministry’s innovations department, received a five-year sentence.

These convictions are part of a larger investigation into the abuse of office within Russia’s military leadership. At least a dozen officials tied to former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu have been caught up in the sweeping probe.

Popov served as a deputy defense minister from 2013 until June 2024, at which point he was dismissed by presidential decree. He was subsequently detained on fraud charges in 2024.

Popov pleaded not guilty to the charges. His lawyer stated that he would appeal the verdict.