Threat to Putin: why the dictator replaced 12 military leaders during the war – WP analysis

Why Putin replaced 12 military leaders of the Russian army/Collage 24 Channel

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has already replaced 12 military leaders of the Russian army during the war against Ukraine. First of all, this is due to the fact that he is afraid of a threat to his own life.

In addition, journalists noted that such a personnel purge in the ranks of the Russian army indicates consolidation among the Russian command, which has united around Putin. At the same time, undesirable commanders either disappear or die mysteriously.

Putin replaces commanders out of fear for his life

Journalists noted that the day before the leader of the Wagner PIK, Yevgeny Prigozhin, died in a plane crash, Putin fired the head of the Russian Air Force from his post. This was precisely a hint of unification among the army commanders of the aggressor country.

After this, the dictator, together with the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army Gerasimov and the head of the Russian Ministry of Defense Shoigu, demonstrably visited the headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, where there was one of the outbreaks Prigozhin's rebellion. The message of this visit was that Shoigu and Gerasimov remain the main ones, personifying the interests of Putin.

Either way, Western analysts say, Wagner's death and the dismissal and disappearance of regular Russian military commanders underscore Putin's lack of trust in his military leadership. Fearing treason, the Russian leader chose loyalty over competence, and he endured internal strife that worsened his military machine.

Analysts also recall the resignation of General Ivan Popov, who criticized the aggressor country's Ministry of Defense. In particular, he was redirected to Syria, angering many pro-war Russian bloggers. One of them, Andrei Zhivov, wrote that Popov’s reassignment “will significantly reduce morale and combat effectiveness.”

Journalists also write about the Deputy Minister of Defense, Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev, who was fired in April 2023 and then joined the Wagnerites, no one has seen since the mutiny.

In general, as the authors of the publication calculated, since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, at least 12 high-ranking military leaders have been removed from their posts. While some appear to have been fired for critical mistakes, others were removed after they criticized Russian commanders or complained about conditions at the front.

Shoigu still remains “at the helm”

Leonid Volkov, a senior political aide to jailed Russian politician Alexei Navalny, said Putin has no choice but to leave Shoigu in charge. The man explained this by saying that a more talented defense minister would pose a threat to the president, especially if he manages to turn the war in Russia's favor.

According to Volkov, a triumphant, famous military chief would pose a similar threat, potentially activating pro-war nationalists .

Shoigu is irreplaceable because he is very bad. Therefore, it makes no sense to change him or anyone else worse than Putin. And changing him for someone better and someone who will achieve success is too dangerous,” he said.

At the same time, the Russian authorities are sure to transfer many disgraced generals to Syria. This fate awaited generals Andrei Serdyukov, Alexander Chaiko and Sergei Kisel.