After the resignation of several Russian generals, American experts see a broad struggle against disobedience in Moscow’s military apparatus and for information sovereignty in the war against Ukraine.
The resignation of Major General Vladimir Zelivyorstov and, before that, his colleague Ivan Popov, reported yesterday by unofficial Russian sources, suggests that the “disintegration of Russia’s chain of command in Ukraine is accelerating”, according to an analysis from the US ISW Institute for War Studies yesterday in Washington.
As in other cases, the Ministry of Defense in Moscow has not officially commented on the dismissal of Zelivyorstov, 49, from the command of the 106th Guards Airborne Division. However, ISW experts assume that the major general, promoted only in June, had also previously criticized the conduct of the war, like Popov. Popov had announced his resignation himself.
Experts Assume Growing Disobedience
The US institute currently sees the military apparatus purged of disloyal forces. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his chief of staff Valery Gerasimov are getting rid of these officers. “Growing disobedience is likely to deepen existing divisions within the Russian military and the broader security sphere,” the analysis said.
The backdrop is the uprising of the private Russian Wagner army against the military apparatus, which ended quickly on June 24. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin accused Shoigu and Gerasimov of incompetence. Prigozhin also has supporters in the regular troops.