According to the UK’s Ministry of Defence assessment, ten prominent generals have been killed in war and six have been fired since Putin’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine.
Since hostilities began in February 2022, at least six Russian commanders have likely been fired over the persistent failure of Russian armed forces’ to achieve its objectives in the invasion of Ukraine.
The report by British Defence Intelligence further states: “The commanders of Russia’s Eastern and Western Military Districts have highly likely lost their commands. General-Colonel Aleksandr Chayko was dismissed as Commander of the Eastern Military District in May 2022.
“General-Colonel Aleksandr Zhuravlev, who has commanded the Western Military District since 2018, was absent from Russia’s Navy Day in St Petersburg on 31 July 2022 and has highly likely been replaced by General-Lieutenant Vladimir Kochetkov.
“General Aleksandr Vladimirovich Dvornikov has subsequently been removed after been given overall command of the operation in Ukraine, and General Sergei Surovikin has assumed command of the Southern Grouping of Forces from General Gennady Valeryevich Zhidko.”
“These dismissals are compounded by at least 10 Russian Generals killed on the battlefield in Ukraine. The cumulative effect on consistency of command is likely contributing to Russian tactical and operational difficulties.”
Meanwhile, Russian military officials have claimed their country has lost at least 42,000 soldiers since the conflict began.
While Putin had anticipated a quick takeover of Kyiv, the Russian military effort appears to have been plagued by failures, staunch resistance from Ukraine’s Armed Forces, and the loss of many soldiers and equipment.
As a result, Putin has frequently altered the war’s goal and has recently concentrated his military’s attention on Ukraine’s eastern and southern areas.
