Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed General Oleg Salyukov, the head of Russia’s ground forces. The Kremlin announced the decision on Thursday, May 15.
This move comes as part of a series of high-level changes amid the ongoing war with Ukraine, now in its fourth year. According to reports from AFP and The Moscow Times, General Salyukov had been serving as the commander of the ground forces since 2014. He previously served as Deputy Chief of the General Staff and played key roles in both the Syrian civil war and the Ukraine invasion.
Less than a week before his dismissal, Salyukov led the Victory Day military parade in Red Square alongside current Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.
Since last year, several Russian military and defense officials have faced allegations of embezzlement and corruption, although the Kremlin denies these moves are part of any broad purge within the military establishment.
The 70-year-old general is expected to be appointed as deputy to former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who was removed last year and made Secretary of the Security Council. This latest reshuffle was confirmed in a decree issued by the Kremlin.
Background: Russia initially aimed to take over Ukraine within days of launching the invasion in 2022. However, the conflict has turned into a prolonged and devastating war, claiming thousands of lives. Ukraine and Russia are set to engage in their first direct peace talks in over three years in Istanbul.