Putin sacks top general in charge of Ukraine war as forces on the backfoot

Vladimir Putin has sacked the top general in charge of his war in Ukraine Valery Gerasimov, according to independent Russian media.

Gerasimov, 67, has been replaced as commander of the armed forces in Ukraine after just six months in command while Russian forces face setbacks on the battlefield.

He has been replaced by Colonel-General Mikhail Teplinskiy, according to The Moscow Times citing pro-war Telegram channels. Putin has not officially confirmed the move.

Gerasimov will remain in charge of the Russian armed forces overall as Chief of the General Staff, however, it’s unclear where the general is at the moment – he hasn’t been seen since the Wagner rebellion.

The news comes amid Putin’s fury that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky brought home key commanders of the Azov regiment which defended Mariupol home from Turkey.

Zelensky also visited the now-famous Snake Island on the war’s 500th day which was the scene of defiant resistance by outgunned Ukrainian soldiers standing up to a Russian warship.

On the battlefield, Russia has taken heavy losses and given up ground around Bakhmut in the east, although Kyiv’s counteroffensive has gone slower than previously expected.

In addition, the Institute for the Study of War said that Moscow has moved most of its Eastern Group forces to the south of Ukraine, suggesting “brittle” defences there.

Putin’s position appears more tenuous than ever after Wagner forces stormed into Russia and marched on Moscow.

It appears the Russian dictator may now be cleaning house following the revolt. Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has not been seen since the coup attempt despite being granted immunity to live in Belarus following a deal with Putin.

In a surprise announcement, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said Prigozhin had gone back to Russia leading to speculation over his whereabouts.

Sergey Surovikin, the head of Russia’s airborne forces, is also missing. He condemned the coup but reportedly had prior knowledge of Prigozhin’s plan.

Gerasimov – who has now been sacked – has also vanished. Despite being Prigozhin’s rival, an analyst told Daily Express US that it’s possible Putin will have him take the fall for allowing Wagner forces to breach Russia’s defences during their mutiny.