Putin dismisses Ulyukayev From Post of Economic Development Minister

The news comes amid a corruption scandal involving Ulyukayev, according to Sputnik International. Earlier in the day, Ulyukayev was officially charged with bribery on a very large scale. Ulyukayev demanded a bribe for a positive assessment of Russian energy company Rosneft's acquisition of Bashneft company's shares, according to the Russian Investigative Committee said. A Moscow district court ruled earlier on Tuesday to place Ulyukayev under house arrest in a $2-million bribery case for two months. In court, Ulyukayev said that he does not admit his guilt, however, expressed readiness to cooperate with investigation authorities. Russia's Investigative Committee said early on Tuesday that Ulyukayev was caught in the act when taking a $2 million bribe for a positive appraisal that allowed Russian energy company Rosneft to buy the state's shares of Bashneft oil company.