Ukrainian journalist: Russia fires four generals for “unsatisfactory” results in war

“Due to the unsatisfactory results of the “special military operation” (that’s how Russia calls the war in Ukraine – ed. post), the following generals were dismissed from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation: Lieutenant General Andrei Sychevoi – from the post of commander of the Western Military District; Lieutenant General Vladislav Eršov – from the post of commander of the 6th Combined Arms Army of the Western Military District;

Major General Vyacheslav Gurov – from the post of commander of the 1st Tank Army of the Western Military District; Lieutenant General Jakovs Riazancev – from the position of commander of the 49th Joint Armed Forces Army of the Southern Military District,” wrote R. Cymbaliukas in his Telegram account.

True, the journalist did not specify who is the source of his information.

Nevertheless, the UK Ministry of Defense, citing its own intelligence, reported back in May that Russia had sacked one by one its top military commanders in the spring, who it said had failed to cope with the task of invading Ukraine.

“Lieutenant General Sergei Kisel, who commanded the elite 1st Guards Tank Army, was removed from his post after the failure to capture Kharkiv. Vice Admiral Igor Osipov, who commanded Russia’s Black Sea fleet, is also likely to have been ousted after the Ukrainians sank the Moskva cruiser in April.

Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff of the Russian Armed Forces, is likely to remain in office, but it is unclear whether he will retain the trust of President Putin,” the report said.

It also notes that there is a culture of scapegoating in Russia’s military and security system. According to British intelligence, this approach will make it harder for Russia to regain the upper hand on the battlefield.

“Many officials involved in the invasion of Ukraine are likely increasingly distracted by trying to avoid personal responsibility for Russia’s operational failures. This is likely to create additional pressure on Russia’s model of centralized command and control, as officers more often try to delegate important decisions to their superiors,” the report said.