Russian space agency deputy head among three detained, accused of siphoning nearly $5 million

Oleg Frolov, deputy CEO of Russian space agency Roscosmos, has been arrested in Russia on charges of embezzlement during the purchase of equipment, independent Russian news outlet The Moscow Times reported on Dec. 22.

According to the Investigative Committee of Russia, two other businessmen were arrested along with Frolov.

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The defendants were charged with fraud on a particularly large scale.

The ICR believes that Frolov, using his official position, entered into a criminal conspiracy with two accomplices and stole budget funds in the course of the contract for the purchase of equipment worth at least 435 million rubles ($4.7 million).

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Frolov, who previously served in the space forces, was responsible for the state arms program of Roscosmos, which produced the most modern Russian weapons: missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, which in 2018 Russian President Vladimir Putin announced as a "response to U.S. actions."

One example of these weapons is the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, which is supposed to replace the Voevoda missiles.

Putin claimed In 2018 that Russia already had hypersonic weapons, such as the Avangard and Kinzhal systems, as well as the Zircon anti-ship missile, which were also developed by Roscosmos.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine