Russian troops fed dog food marked beef

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, May 23 (UPI) -- A former Russian military officer says troops in Russia's Far East were fed dog food to hide the theft of food supplies.

Former Maj. Igor Matveyev, a veteran of two wars, posted allegations about the incident on YouTube, prompting an audit, RIA Novosti reported Monday.

Officials with the Regional Interior Ministry said an audit last month revealed an officer in charge of food supplies at the Vladivostok military base stole food worth more than $35,000 and replaced it with tins of dog food marked "high-quality beef."

Criminal charges were filed against the officer accused in the incident and the whistle blower was fired for posting the video on the Internet. Prosecutors also found illegal foreign workers were living and working at the military garrison at Vladivostok.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said corruption is one of the biggest problems facing Russia's military.