Tags: Russia, GPS, GLONASS, Satellite Navigation System
Publication: FoxNews.com
Publication Date: 11/12/2012

Sergei Ivanov, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia admitted knowledge of corruption in Russia” satellite navigation system. Image credit: Veni Markovski

Sergei Ivanov, President Vladimir Putin’s chief of staff, publicly accepted he was aware of the suspected embezzlement of more than $200 million of state funds originally allocated for GLONASS, the system that competes with the GPS navigation system of the U.S.

This is a new strike on the ambitious project already hit by the loss of three satellites due to a failed launch in 2010.

The scandal also follows a military corruption controversy last week that caused the removal of Anatoly Serdyukov from his post as Defense Minister, which heightens critics’ comments about a strong division inside Putin’s government.

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