Military leader under investigation for potential departure. - Top military leaders of Putin are currently feeling uneasy.
But the process is not yet complete as some of the president's confidants may be shaking with fear, while others are hoping for promotions.
Following the dismissal of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (68), the Kremlin announced the arrest of a significant military figure: Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetsov, head of the ministry's staff department, was detained on suspicion of bribery. The allegations stem from his previous position as head of the department responsible for safeguarding state secrets. He had accepted money from a company for his assistance...
It's evident that Russia's generals are starting to feel uneasy.
The whisperer has been silenced
Putin's significant shake-up of the Kremlin is evident, as two of his most trusted confidants are affected. Shoigu, long-time friend of the dictator and War Minister, has been replaced by Andrei Beloussov (65). Shoigu now holds a different position, becoming the Chairman of the Security Council, displacing yet another influential Putin crony: Former intelligence head Nikolai Patrushev (72).
Shoigu, who wasn't from the military initially, may find his new post satisfying. He remains within the upper echelons of power and could potentially be even closer to Putin.
Unlike Shoigu, Patrushev is a different story - the former head of the FSB was a hardliner in the Russian political sphere and a powerful voice in the president's ear. Now, it seems, he's been penalized.
Speculation swirled that Patrushev would be granted a new role or even a new infrastructure. However, on Tuesday, the Kremlin revealed that Putin had appointed Patrushev as an advisor. A significant loss of power.
Chief of the General Staff should be nervous
General Valery Gerasimov (68) is also likely to be on edge about his future position: The frequently criticized Chief of the General Staff is the highest-ranking Russian soldier since 2012.
Like his superior Shoigu, Gerasimov has been an object of criticism from influential Russian military bloggers and the slain mercenary chief Prigozhin.
It remains unclear whether the new defense minister Andrei Beloussov will also nominate a new chief of staff. Nevertheless, there are several generals who could potentially take over his position and, moreover, as commander-in-chief of the "special military operation," the official name for Russia's war against Ukraine.
One of the apparent candidates is Gerasimov's former deputy in the General Staff, Nikolai Bogdanovsky (67). In contrast to his superior, Colonel General Bogdanovsky was less harshly criticized for failures in Ukraine.
Will "General Armageddon" return?
Colonel General Mikhail Teplinski (55) may anticipate a promotion: The head of the airborne troops played a pivotal role in the capture of Bakhmut, the biggest propaganda triumph of the Russian invaders last year.
Teplinski is highly regarded within the military and is popular among influential military bloggers, as well as another general who might have another opportunity: Army General Sergei Surovikin (57), nicknamed "General Armageddon."
Surovikin had commanded the Russian invasion forces for several months before Gerasimov took over - he was deemed an enterprising rival to the Chief of Staff.
Due to his popularity and suspected help in Prigozhin's attempted coup, Surovikin was briefly dismissed and is currently on trial in a coordination post.
Should Surovikin actually return to a significant role in the military, Putin would simultaneously fulfill a demand from his dead confidant Prigozhin. A few months before his takeover attempt, the mercenary leader asked for influential posts in the Ministry of Defense for the generals Teplinski and Surovikin.
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Source: symclub.org
