Russia's aircraft corporation official a fraudster?

Russian prosecutors have charged Sergey Tsivilev – the first Deputy Director General of MIG, one Russia's largest aircraft corporations -  with major fraud.

Investigators accuse Mr Tsivilev of trying to sell counterfeit spare parts for MiG-29 fighter jets worth $US 640,000 to Poland.

MIG says it has more than 2,000 sub-contractors and that one manager cannot be responsible for all product quality.

The “Kommersant” daily business newspaper says the company thinks the criminal case may be an attempt to harm Tsivilev's chances of promotion to Director General.