Russian officials have brought criminal charges against at least 34 individuals for failing to comply with state defense contracts since the beginning of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, as reported by Reuters on Tuesday, referencing documents available on the website of Moscow’s general jurisdiction courts.

Among those charged, Reuters identified at least 11 as heads of companies and two as senior management personnel.

At least five of the accused individuals have already received prison sentences of up to six years.

Approximately 15 people are currently in pre-trial detention.

Former President Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the first deputy chairman of Russia’s Military-Industrial Commission, cautioned defense industry leaders in 2023 that not fulfilling contract obligations could lead to criminal charges.

The Moscow Times’ Russian service calculated that 43 criminal cases related to state defense contracts were filed in courts during the first eight months of 2025, marking the highest number since the onset of the full-scale war.

In contrast, 34 cases were reported in 2024, 36 in 2023, and 32 in 2022. Prior to the war, annual cases had never surpassed 23.

Out of the 43 cases recorded between January and August 2025, 28 were specifically linked to failures in fulfilling contracts, 13 involved bribery, and two pertained to large-scale fraud.

This year, authorities have increasingly invoked charges related to abuse of authority and breach of contract, while nearly half of the cases in 2024 were centered around fraud.

Bribery cases have also increased, with 13 incidents reported in the first eight months of 2025, compared to seven in 2024, nine in 2023, and ten in 2022.