Russia cracks down on spaceport mega-project mired in corruption

Vostochny cosmodrome at heart of claims of 132m worth of theft and illegal enrichment

The Kremlin has launched a crackdown over a spaceport project that was supposed to be the jewel of Russia's space programme but has become mired in corruption costing more than $170m (132m), with investigations alleging blatant theft and illegal enrichment by officials and contractors.

As state investigators have opened new criminal cases, the project has also become the target of Russia's opposition, with the corruption whistleblower Alexei Navalny releasing an investigation into land and cars acquired by the head of Roscosmos, Russia's space agency.