In this handout photograph posted on the official Telegram channel of the United Press Service of the Judicial System of the Kursk Region on April 6, 2026, former governor of Russia’s Kursk region Alexei Smirnov, who was arrested along with his ex-deputy on suspicion of embezzling over $12 million of funds earmarked for border defences with Ukraine, listens to his verdict at the Leninsky District Court of the city of Kursk. Photo by HANDOUT / UNITED PRESS SERVICE OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF THE KURSK REGION / AFP
In this handout photograph posted on the official Telegram channel of the United Press Service of the Judicial System of the Kursk Region on April 6, 2026, former governor of Russia’s Kursk region Alexei Smirnov, who was arrested along with his ex-deputy on suspicion of embezzling over $12 million of funds earmarked for border defences with Ukraine, listens to his verdict at the Leninsky District Court of the city of Kursk. Photo by HANDOUT / UNITED PRESS SERVICE OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF THE KURSK REGION / AFP