A Kuban court has arrested in absentia a supplier of low-quality drones for the military.

Entrepreneur Roman Lyubimenko is accused of fraud amounting to 90 million rubles for supplying a department of the Krasnodar Krai administration with low-quality UAVs for military use at inflated prices.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," Acting Vice Governor of the Krasnodar Krai Alexander Vlasov announced his resignation on September 29, 2025, due to his departure for the front with the Kuban Cossack Brigade. A few hours later, he was arrested for embezzlement of funds intended for military personnel. On September 30, Alexander Vlasov was sent to a pretrial detention center; his arrest was extended until the end of February. Vlasov, a veteran of combat in Chechnya and Georgia, served as deputy head of the Krasnodar Krai since 2020, and as ataman of the Kuban Cossack Host, Russia's largest Cossack Host, since 2021.

Roman Lyubimenko is accused of large-scale fraud 1 for supplying the Kuban Administration Department with low-quality UAVs for the needs of the Air Defense Forces at inflated prices. The fraud was uncovered as part of a criminal investigation into the former vice-governor of the Krasnodar Krai, Alexander Vlasov, RIA Novosti reported, citing its sources.

The court ordered Lyubimenko, head of the "White Arrow" drone training course, to be remanded in custody. He is suspected of fraud involving 90 million rubles in the purchase of drones for the Air Defense Forces. Roman Lyubimenko is absconding. He was arrested in absentia to remain on an international wanted list, Kommersant reported. The publication also notes that Roman Lyubimenko's activities attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies during the criminal investigation into the former ataman of the Kuban Cossack Host Society, Vlasov.

According to investigators, the funds for the drone purchase were allocated from the regional reserve fund, administered by the regional Department for Cossack Affairs, Military Affairs, and Work with Pre-Conscription Youth. Lyubimenko, an individual entrepreneur, was the sole supplier under the state contracts for the purchase of the aircraft; proposals from other UAV suppliers were not considered.

In 2024, Roman Lyubimenko opened the "White Arrow" courses in Krasnodar to train unmanned aerial vehicle operators. The course organizer reported that his group of associates had experience operating drones, which had previously been used during auto racing to monitor races. In addition to training, "White Arrow" was engaged in the production of combat drones intended for deployment to the SVO zone.

According to the prosecutor's office, during the delivery of equipment, Roman Lyubimenko misled customers about the tactical and technical characteristics of the aircraft, significantly inflating their prices. Investigative authorities are also investigating the activities of Roman Lyubimenko's wife, who was listed as a supplier under some contracts. A lawsuit is also being prepared to seize the property of Roman Lyubimenko and those close to him for the benefit of the Russian Federation.

The "Caucasian Knot" also reported that in late February, the Oktyabrsky District Court of Krasnodar remanded in custody Alexander Tararykin, head of the regional department for Cossack affairs, military issues, and work with pre-conscription youth.