The "stripping" of the Generals and officials of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation: ISW explained that it was behind the wave of arrests
It all began with the ex-deputy of the Russian Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, followed by the deputy head of the General Staff of the Russian Federation Vadim Shamarin, the eczeper of the 58th Army Ivan Popov, as well as a number of others related to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, officials. They are officially accused of corruption.
But in the new report of the Institute of War Study, they say that this new trend will continue and is a deliberate campaign of purges against officials who have fallen into the discomfort of the Kremlin.
Thus, on May 23, the Investigative Committee of Russia announced the arrest of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, the Chief of Main Lieutenant General Vadim Shamarin and the Chief of the Department of State Procurement of the Ministry of Defense of the Ministry of Defense of Russia Vladimir Velteletsky. Shamarina is accused of receiving a bribe of at least 36 million rubles (about $ 392 thousand).
Verteletsky is accused of corruption and a large bribe with a total loss of 70 million rubles (about $ 763,000). Five high -ranking officials of the Ministry of Defense of Russia and the former warlords were arrested on charges in corruption after the arrest Shogg. ISW analysts say that the Kremlin is likely to use allegations of corruption as an excuse to hide the true causes of expulsion from the Ministry of Defense of specific persons who have fallen into discomfort.
The commemoration of the commander of the 20th General Army (Moscow Military District) Lieutenant General Sukhrab Akhmedov, who was written by Russian military bloggers. ISW cannot confirm Akhmedov's removal, but the statements about his removal are notable, since it will be the first removal of an officer who is actively commanding Russian troops in Ukraine in Ukraine controlled by him (20th Saa) is current .
Some insider sources claim that arrested military officials in the Russian Federation are related to the Chief of General Staff, General of the Army General Valery Gerasimov. But the resignation of Gerasimov himself is not yet discussed. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov on May 23, in particular, denied the existence of a "campaign" against Russian Defense officials, instead saying that arrests were part of a consistent fight against corruption.
"Fighting corruption is a consistent work, it is not a campaign. It is an integral part of our law enforcement activities. No campaign here is not said. The fight against corruption continues in all agencies. I cannot say anything about details - I am not say I have this authority, "Peskov said, refusing to comment on whether the Kremlin was aware of the plans of arrests in advance.
Peskov earlier evaded the questions of journalists about the Russian MoD, and his decision to answer the questions about changes in the MO and arrest indicates that the Kremlin may need it to support these purges. ISW analysts note that Peskov's statement that release is part of a consistent effort is difficult to compare with a sudden scaffolding of release and arrests with anomalous speed and with wide publicity.
It is noteworthy, but the Russian "military" were mostly pleased with the arrests of those officials of the Ministry of Defense, whom they consider incompetent. ISW suggests that the Kremlin admits such criticism because it supports the image of the new Russian Defense Minister Andriy Belousov as an official who is allegedly able to solve those problems in the Russian Defense Ministry, which Sergei Shoigu could not solve.