By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia on Thursday said it opened a criminal case and is investigating alleged embezzlement of 400 million rubles (over $4.64 million) by the management and employees of a company affiliated with the Defense Ministry.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry identified Vladimir Pavlov, the head of Russian military’s clothing and food supplier​​​​​​​ Voentorg, as a suspect in the corruption case related to the execution of state contracts for the needs of the Defense Ministry.

The statement indicated that Pavlov, along with a beneficiary of the controlled organizations, has been taken to the investigative department of the ministry and charged with fraud.

According to investigators, in 2019, the suspects, along with other accomplices, allegedly "entered into a criminal conspiracy" across multiple regions, including Moscow, the Republic of North Ossetia - Alania, the Stavropol Territory, and the Pskov Region, among others.

If found guilty, the suspects could face up to 10 years in prison.

A number of corruption cases have recently been filed against individuals connected to the implementation of the Defense Ministry state order.

In May, President Vladimir Putin replaced Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu with Andrey Belousov.