Russia's Basmanny Court in Moscow ordered the detention of Alexander Zinchenko, deputy governor of Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast, on charges of large-scale fraud, holding him for one month and 29 days until February 17, state news agency TASS reported on January 2.

The court ruling provided no details about the specific fraud allegations or the amount involved. Zaporizhzhia is a Ukrainian region that Russia claims to have annexed following its 2022 invasion, though Moscow controls only part of the territory.

Zinchenko faces charges under Article 159 Part 4 of Russia's Criminal Code for fraud on an especially large scale.

He was detained on December 19 and formally charged on December 20, when the court granted investigators' request for pre-trial detention.

The defence objected to the detention and requested house arrest or restrictions on specific activities instead. Zinchenko told the court he had no intention of fleeing from investigators or obstructing the investigation.

Prosecutors argued that Zinchenko's position as deputy governor could enable him to threaten witnesses or obstruct the case.

"Holding the high-ranking position of deputy governor, [the accused Zinchenko] may use his connections and personal acquaintances in law enforcement agencies and state authorities to prevent objective and comprehensive investigation of the criminal case and its consideration in court, threaten witnesses and other participants in criminal proceedings," the court document stated.

Russian authorities have appointed administrators to govern occupied Ukrainian territories, including Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where Zinchenko served as a senior official under the Russian-installed administration.