Colonel Valery Morozov, commander of the aerobatic team "Strizhi" , is suspected of bribery and extortion and will be discharged from service, reports "Interfax" from the Kozhedub aviation technology Center.

"A telegram was received from the Department of Defence stating that from September 5, Colonel Morozov is to be discharged from military service because of contract non-compliance," ​ said a source.

He noted that, while the authorities had not yet carried out checks, the Ministry of Defence still decided to dismiss the pilot "who for many years was the pride of the Russian Air Force."

"The hasty dismissal of a such a well known military service pilot has caused a negative reaction in our Center. If Morozov is guilty of something, he will answer for it, but why fire a pilot before the prosecutor finishes checking? It shouldn't be excluded that Morozov was simply framed and slandered," said an agency liaison.

Information about Morozov's detention appeared in the media last week. At that time, sources told "Gazeta.ru" that he was suspected of extorting money from his subordinates in exchange for flexible work hours. News agencies presented a different story: Morozov, commander of the "Strizhi" demanded money from a local businessman, who used the "Strizhi" logo for commercial purposes.

Another "Gazeta.ru" source in the police detention squadron commander confirmed the allegations, but refuted any suspicion of Morozov illegally selling the aerobatic team's logo rights.

Shortly after the initial reports, law enforcement agencies said that Morozov had not been detained, instead Interior Ministry officials had a conversation with him and let him go, reports RIA "Novosti."