President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Oleg Salyukov, commander of Russia’s ground forces, according to a decree released by the Kremlin on Thursday, ahead of direct talks anticipated between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul.
Salyukov has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, a key advisory body that regularly meets with Putin, and he “is relieved of his current duties,” according to the decree.
The Secretary of the Security Council is Sergei Shoigu, a former Defence Minister. He was appointed last year.
Following Shoigu’s replacement at the ministry by Andrei Belousov, an economist, several defence officials and generals were arrested on corruption charges, a move perceived by many as a purge.
The Kremlin denied any purge, insisting it was a routine anti-corruption operation amid longstanding scandals plaguing the Russian defence sector.
Last week, Oleg Salyukov commanded the grand military parade on 9 May in Red Square, commemorating 80 years since the victory over Nazi Germany. He had commanded Russia’s ground forces since 2014, overseeing military operations in Syria and the large-scale offensive against Ukraine.
Prior to that, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for four years.
