There is speculation that Russian President Vladimir Putin has fired his top commander in the latest-mentioned dismissal amid his failed invasion of Ukraine, said an adviser to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
Alexei Arestovich, a presidential adviser, said in an interview with Russian dissident lawyer Mark Feigin on Wednesday that “preliminary information” indicates that Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s chief of staff, has been fired.
The announced dismissal cannot be verified independently and the Kremlin has not given any indications of expulsion from the top echelon.
However, Gerasimov, who was known to brief Russian President Vladimir Putin along with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on the other side of a long table during preparations for the war, was particularly absent from this week’s Victory Day parade in Moscow.
Gerasimov is widely considered one of the architects of the Kremlin’s strategy for Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, surrounded by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov. Press Service of the Kremlin / Anatolian Agency through Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin talks with Colonel-General Valery Gerasimov Alexei Nikolsky / RIA-NOVOSTI / AFP through Getty Images Colonel-General Valery Gerasimov is widely considered one of the architects of the Kremlin’s strategy for Ukraine . Murat Kula / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images
The rumors come after reports last month that other leaders of the failed invasion had also been removed, including Black Sea Fleet Commander Admiral Igor Osipov.
It is also rumored that several commanders of the Russian army have been fired, including Lieutenant General Vladislav Ershov, Lieutenant General Sergei Kisel and Major General Arkady Marzoev.
Meanwhile, while Arestovich said Putin could clean the house, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Major General Kirilo Budanov, said the opposite might be true.
Destroyed Russian military tank in Dmitrovka, Ukraine. Alexei Furman / Getty Images Damaged Moscow cruiser shortly after being hit by Ukrainian missiles.Twitter / east2west news A Ukrainian serviceman walks among destroyed Russian tanks in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kiev. Felipe Dana / AP
In an interview with Sky News Friday, Budanov suggested that an internal coup against Putin was already under way.
The Ukrainian general said he expects the war to end by the end of the year.
“The turning point will be in the second half of August. “Most of the active hostilities will end by the end of this year,” he predicted.
Lieutenant General Sergei Kisel is said to have been fired by the Kremlin. Lieutenant General Vladislav Ershov may have been fired. It is said that Major General Arkady Marzoev was fired during the mass purge.
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