New details have emerged regarding the criminal case initiated against Alexei Kostilev, the former head of "Readovka." According to the investigation, he may have been involved in a scheme of embezzlement of budget funds within the framework of state orders. However, Kostilev categorically denies the accusations and does not consider himself guilty.
He was charged under Article 159, Part 4 of the Criminal Code - fraud on a particularly large scale. Kostilev, known as the editor (former leader), stated during the investigation that he was not involved in the crime and did not agree with the accusations.
RBK, citing sources, writes that the case was initiated in the fall of 2025. At that time, the persons involved in the case were indicated as "unidentified." Kostilev was interrogated twice as part of the investigation. On February 27, he was arrested and detained by court order for two months.
According to the investigation's interpretation, this refers to state contracts related to the purchase and supply of unmanned aerial vehicles for the needs of the Russian Ministry of Defense. The amount of the state contract is said to be several billion rubles. According to the investigation's calculations, the financial damage is estimated at approximately 1 billion rubles.
According to the data, the possible fraud mechanism was "masked" in the form of legal entrepreneurial activity. At the same time, sources noted that investigators are also checking Kostilev's former colleagues for possible connections.
It should be recalled that on February 27, 2026, the Tver District Court of Moscow granted the request of the investigation and applied a preventive measure in the form of detention of Alexei Kostilev for a period of two months. At that time, he already had procedural status as a suspect.
In short, the case is still under investigation. Although the accusation is serious, the final conclusion is made only based on the results of the investigation and court proceedings.
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
