Former deputy culture minister Olga Yarilova arrested in Moscow

In Moscow, investigators arrested Russia’s former deputy minister of culture, Olga Yarilova, for allegedly embezzling over 200 million rubles (around $2.5 million) while participating in a project called the Pushkin Card. TASS, citing a source in law enforcement, and the Telegram channel 112 both reported on the case.

Olga Yarilova served as deputy prime minister of culture from 2018 to 2022. She left the position voluntarily.

The Pushkin Card program, which launched in September 2021, allows Russian citizens between 14 and 22 to use a card with an initial value of 5,000 rubles (around $60) to pay for visits to theaters, museums, and movies.