Prominent Media Figure Arrested
Alexey Kostylev, the founder and former editor-in-chief of the influential pro-Kremlin news outlet Readovka, was detained on Wednesday, February 25, in Moscow on charges of large-scale fraud. A Moscow court subsequently ordered his pretrial detention until April 25.
Kostylev, who also serves as editor-in-chief for the Telegram channel 'Russkaya Zhizn' ('Russian Life'), faces accusations under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment.
Allegations of Embezzlement and Contract Violations
Investigators allege that Kostylev embezzled 1 billion rubles, equivalent to nearly $13 million, which was designated for the supply of military drones under a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry. He is also accused of failing to fulfill obligations related to state contracts.
While the primary allegations focus on the drone contract, some reports suggest his detention may also be linked to a project in the Smolensk Oblast for the construction of a recreation base named 'Korsiki-Rukhanskie,' initially planned as an ethnographic resort.
Readovka's Stance and Health Concerns
Following Kostylev's arrest, Readovka issued a statement publicly distancing itself from the allegations. The outlet asserted that the criminal case against its founder is unrelated to its media operations and confirmed its cooperation with law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the Telegram channel 'Russkaya Zhizn,' where Kostylev is currently editor-in-chief, appealed against his remand in custody, citing significant health issues. They stated that Kostylev requires intensive medical care due to injuries sustained in a 2024 ATV accident, which necessitated brain surgery and resulted in limited mobility and vision impairment. Kostylev himself referenced his poor health during his court appearance.
Background of Readovka and Kostylev
Founded by Kostylev in 2011 as a VKontakte social media page in Smolensk, Readovka evolved into a federal media holding. The outlet, known for its pro-Kremlin stance, significantly increased its pro-war coverage following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, becoming one of the largest pro-war Telegram channels with over 2 million subscribers.
Reports indicate that Readovka's editorial policy shifted to an ultra-patriotic direction after 2022, reportedly receiving guidance from ANO Dialog, a pro-Kremlin organization. Kostylev announced his departure from the founders and owners of Readovka in August 2025. Notably, a month prior to his arrest, Kostylev reportedly stated in an interview that Readovka had received funds from the Kremlin administration for propaganda purposes and that the state had 'claims' against him.
5 Comments
Loubianka
Accusations of embezzling 1 billion rubles for military drones are shocking and suggest deep corruption within the system. Yet, considering his role as a prominent pro-Kremlin media figure, one has to wonder if this is a genuine anti-corruption drive or a calculated move to remove a potentially problematic voice or consolidate power.
BuggaBoom
Stealing from defense contracts is a serious crime. The authorities are right to crack down on this.
Loubianka
This is clearly a political purge. He probably stepped on the wrong toes or knew too much.
Eugene Alta
While the allegations of large-scale fraud, especially concerning military supplies, are extremely serious and warrant investigation, the timing of his arrest after comments about Kremlin funding does raise questions about potential political motives behind these charges. It's difficult to separate genuine crime from political maneuvering in such cases.
Noir Black
Another example of the 'justice' system being used to settle scores, not to genuinely fight corruption.