Ex-editor-in-chief of Readovka Alexey Kostylev arrested on charges of large-scale fraud
Former editor-in-chief of the propaganda publication Readovka Alexey Kostylev has been sent to a pre-trial detention center until April 25 on charges of fraud on a particularly large scale (Part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code). Mediazona reported this. The prosecutor stated that the founder of the publication had embezzled one billion rubles for the supply of UAVs. According to RBC sources, Kostylev was detained on February 25. This information was also confirmed by the propagandist's new project "Russkaya Zhizn." "Alexey is suspected of fraud. We hope that the investigation and the court will establish the truth and all perpetrators will be punished," noted "Russkaya Zhizn." A source in the security forces told TASS that the damage from Kostylev's actions was estimated at 1 million rubles. "YEZH LAB" claims that, according to the investigation, the former editor-in-chief is accused of misappropriating grant funds and falsifying reports. According to the Moscow courts' database, today, February 27, at 5:00 PM, the Tverskoy District Court will choose a pre-trial restrictive measure for Kostylev. "Ekho" drew attention to the recording. The Readovka editorial office also commented on the case. They stated that they are providing maximum assistance to law enforcement agencies, and also emphasized that "the criminal case is not related to the publishing business and the activities of our information resources." "We value his contribution to shaping the patriotic agenda in the Russian media environment. We are grateful to him for many years of joint work. He gave our team a lot professionally and personally," said the Readovka editorial office. Kostylev is the creator of the propaganda publication. He held the post of editor-in-chief of Readovka until 2025. At that time, the editorial office announced a change of ownership – the publication was acquired by Andrey Tkachenko, who, according to "Agentstvo," was previously the head of the department of ANO "Dialog Regions," which is close to the Kremlin. The publication stated that Kostylev had left his post and would be engaged in "the development of his other projects, which are not related to Readovka's media resources."
