Vladimir Putin sacks another general as he takes a more active role in Ukraine war – iNews

Vladimir Putin has sacked Russias highest-ranked general in charge with managing its militarys logistics operations in Ukraine.

Russias Defense Ministry announced Dmitry Bulgakov was being transferred to a new role and will be replaced by Col Gen Mikhail Mizintsev.

The reason for the former deputy minister of defences his change in position was not revealed but it is widely seen as a punishment for the flaws in supporting operations in Ukraine.

Gen Bulgakov has overseen the militarys logistics operations since 2008, including its Syria campaign in 2015.

But sources claim he was blamed for logistics failures in Ukraine, which limited Russias advance and left troops undersupplied.

His dismissal comes after the Kremlin was forced to approach its allies, North Korea and Iran, for new artillery and drone supplies in recent months.

The change in Russias logistics leadership comes after footage share social media, which has not been verified by i, showed newly drafted Russian recruits being equipped with rusty assault rifles.

Gen Mikhail Mizintsev managed Moscows brutal siege at the port city of Mariupol.

Mizinstev, 60, was slapped with sanctions by Britain over his involvement Russian seizing Ukrainian port city Mariupol in May after a siege that lasted more than two months.

Russian Pro-war figures have welcomed his dismissal and the appointment of Gen Mizintsev, who was dubbed the Butcher of Mariupol.

Gen Mizintsev led Russian forces in Syria and led a brutal bombing campaign that levelled the city of Aleppo, it is claimed.

The change in command comes amid reports Mr Putin has taken a more active role in strategic planning for the war in Ukraine in recent weeks.

He has been rejecting requests from his commanders on the ground that they be allowed to retreat from the southern city of Kherson which it seized earlier in its war, The New York Times reports.

If troops withdrew from Kherson, it could enable the Russian military to preserve equipment and save the lives of soldiers.

US officials also told CNN that Putin was forced to take action due to the increasingly dysfunctional command structure in Moscow.

UK defence officials suggested Mr Putin had side-lined his defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, after he was mocked by senior officials for his ineffectual and out-of-touch leadership and for failing to deliver a quick and decisive victoryin Ukraine.

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Vladimir Putin sacks another general as he takes a more active role in Ukraine war - iNews