Media: Serdiukov's "Most Beautiful Favorite" Found Better Job

22.11.2012 Assistant Director of Federal Service for Special Construction at Russian defense ministry Marina Chubkina was appointed adviser to the president of JSC Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin, said Dmitry Krichevtsov, spokesman for the service.

He added that Marina Chubkina had been transferred to the new position of her own free will. "Yesterday, Marina Chubkina was appointed adviser to the president of Russian Railways", said the spokesman. She left the post of Assistant Director of Federal Service for Special Construction the day before, added Krichevtsov.

Curiously, the press turned attention to Marina Chubkina right after Serdiukov's ouster.

Media dubbed her "the most beautiful favorite" of the ex-defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov. She became known after her singsong video.

According to the spokesman, new position of Mrs. Chubkina in JSC Russian Railways is higher than her previous one in defense ministry. Chubkina took that post in Nov 2011.

A representative of Russian Railways confirmed the information regarding the Chubkina's appointment, reports RIA Novosti.

It was reported on Oct 25 about initiation of 5 criminal cases on the basis of frauds in military-controlled JSC Oboronservis. Damage exceeded RUR 3 bln. Later on, investigators discovered that all crimes had been committed by same persons, so all criminal cases were put together.

On Nov 6, Russian president Vladimir Putin discharged Anatoly Serdiukov from duties of defense minister. Former governor of Moscow region Sergei Shoigu was appointed on that post.

Investigative committee declared that Serdiukov can be questioned about fraud issues in Oboronservis.

On Nov 7, the procuracy submitted materials to investigators regarding attempted selling of a company affiliated to Oboronservis at a price cut down by RUR 350 mln. In addition, the procuracy disclosed a new fact of illegal sale of a military property at the price lowered by RUR 240 mln.

On the next day, media agencies referring to credible sources reported that new 10 episodes of underestimated property realization were revealed in defense ministry. Overall amount of lowered prices was RUR 1 bln.

The corruption scandal in Russian defense ministry is gathering new stories like a snowball.

For instance, Federal Security Service (FSB) takes interest in cue cars disappeared from the Museum of Military Automobiles in Ryazan. The museum was disbanded in 2010 by personal order of the then-defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov. By the most conservative expert estimates, overall value of that collection is tens of millions euros, not including a number of invaluable unique cars.