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Deputy head of Russian space centre detained on suspicion of bribery, TASS reports

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on March 13, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: April 1, 2026

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MOSCOW, March 13 (Reuters) - The deputy head of Russia's Star City, a settlement near Moscow that hosts the country's main space training facility, has been detained along with six associates on

Deputy Head of Russian Space Centre and Mayor Detained for Major Bribery Scandal

Bribery Allegations and Investigation Details

Detainment of Star City Officials

MOSCOW, March 13 (Reuters) - The deputy head of Russia's Star City, a settlement near Moscow that hosts the country's main space training facility, has been detained along with six associates on suspicion of bribery, state news agency TASS reported on Friday.

Mayor Yevgeny Barishevsky's Arrest

According to RIA news agency, in January the mayor of Star City Yevgeny Barishevsky was detained on suspicion of accepting a bribe of 365,000 roubles ($4,557) and put under house arrest.

Scope of the Bribery Scheme

Investigators said on Friday that the inquiry had established that between 2023 and 2025 the mayor and his deputy received several bribes from businessmen, both directly and through intermediaries, in exchange for favourable outcomes in the awarding of municipal contracts.

The total amount involved exceeded 9.9 million roubles ($123,602).

Background on Star City

Star City lies about an hour's drive northeast of the Kremlin. For decades, the town did not appear on maps, with its location revealed only after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Exchange Rate Information

($1 = 80.0955 roubles)

(Reporting by Maxim Rodionov; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)

Key Takeaways

  • The deputy head of Star City—a closed space‑training settlement near Moscow—was detained with six others on bribery charges, as reported by TASS.
  • Investigators say between 2023 and 2025, both the mayor, Yevgeny Barishevsky, and his deputy took bribes directly and via intermediaries for municipal contract awards, amounting to over 9.9 million roubles.
  • This case exemplifies a broader uptick in high‑level corruption probes across Russia, amid a sharp rise in bribery offenses—bribery accounted for over 60% of corruption crimes in early 2025.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was detained in connection with the Russian space centre bribery case?
The deputy head of Star City and six associates, including the mayor Yevgeny Barishevsky, were detained on suspicion of bribery.
How much money was involved in the Star City bribery case?
The total amount of bribes exceeded 9.9 million roubles, according to the investigation.
What were the bribes allegedly exchanged for?
Bribes were allegedly exchanged for favourable outcomes in the awarding of municipal contracts in Star City.
Where is Star City located?
Star City is a settlement near Moscow, Russia, hosting the main space training facility, located about an hour's drive northeast of the Kremlin.
When were the bribery incidents believed to have occurred?
Investigators established that the bribes were received between 2023 and 2025.

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