Putin Replaces Russian Army Chief Oleg Saluykov

Vladimir Putin has replaced the head of Russia’s Ground Forces, Oleg Saluykov, according to a presidential decree released by the Kremlin. Saluykov is now appointed as deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, an important advisory body that regularly meets under Vladimir Putin, and ‘is relieved of his current duties,’ states the decree. The Secretary of the Security Council is former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. After replacing him in this ministry with economist Andrei Belousov, many generals and high-ranking members of the armed forces were arrested on corruption charges, which was seen as a ‘purge.’ However, the Kremlin denies it is conducting a ‘purge campaign’ and assures it was a routine anti-corruption operation due to numerous scandals recorded in the defense sector over the years. Last week, Saluykov oversaw the major military parade for the May 9th celebrations marking victory over Nazi Germany, held at Moscow’s Red Square. Saluykov had been chief of the Ground Forces since 2014, during which time there were military interventions in Syria and Ukraine.