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Overhaul
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Moscow, Nov. 9: President Vladimir V. Putin replaced the head of the Russian military’s general staff and a number of top generals today, continuing an overhaul of military leaders that began with the removal of Russia’s defence minister earlier this week.
Col Gen. Valery Gerasimov will replace Gen Nikolai Makarov, who has served as chief of the general staff since 2008. The move was not unexpected, since the new defence minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, has the right to install his own team in top military posts.
His predecessor, Anatoly E. Serdyukov, was dismissed on Tuesday amid a swirling corruption scandal. Many analysts saw those charges as a pretext, though; Serdukov had alienated many in the uniformed military by pushing through deep cuts in the ranks of officers, and top generals were eager to see him go.
During a meeting this morning, Putin alluded to another set of tensions building within military circles, this time over relations with defense manufacturers. He told Col Gen. Gerasimov that the defence department has been frequently changing its orders for weapons and other military hardware.
“The situation in the scientific-technical sphere is changing quickly, and new means of armed warfare are appearing,” Putin said, according to the Interfax news service. “We should orient ourselves towards optimal means, but still need to maintain a certain stability. I am counting on you and the ministry to establish stable, good collegial work with our leading manufacturers in the defense sector.”
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