British Secret Service
Lack of unity in Russian military leadership?
British Secret Service headquarters in London. photo
© Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA/dpa
A Russian colonel general who played an important role in the Ukraine war has apparently been fired. British intelligence sees this as a sign of a split in the Russian military leadership.
British intelligence sees the dismissal of a senior Russian military as a sign of a lack of unity in Moscow’s military leadership.
Colonel-General Mikhail Teplinsky, who has played an important role in the Ukraine war, has allegedly been fired, the British Ministry of Defense said in a daily briefing. According to the British, Teplinsky was responsible for the withdrawal of the Russians west of Ukraine’s Dnipro River in November last year. In Russia, he was praised as a capable and pragmatic commander, it said.
It is currently unclear whether Teplinski still has his responsibilities as head of the Russian Air Force (VDV). However, it is possible that a debate about the role of these forces contributed to his dismissal. The air force was often used for tasks that did not correspond to their specialization.
The British Ministry of Defense has published daily information on the course of the war since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, citing intelligence information. In doing so, the British government wants to both counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line. Moscow accuses London of a disinformation campaign.