Moscow: The Russian Ministry of Defense is preparing for a fresh wave of high-level arrests, reflecting mounting pressure from the Kremlin over the ongoing crisis in the Kursk region.
Military Leaders Under Criminal Investigation
In the wake of Ukraine’s 10-day offensive in the Kursk region, which has reportedly led to the loss of over 1,000 square kilometers of territory by Moscow, there are mounting indications that criminal investigations are targeting senior military and civilian officials. Sources cited by The Moscow Times and independent Russian site Verstka suggest that the Russian government is preparing to pursue legal action against those deemed responsible for the failure to effectively defend the Kursk region.
The alleged mishandling of the situation has fueled speculation that both military leaders and civilian administrators involved in the crisis might face legal consequences. Since Ukraine’s incursion, often referred to by some Russian independent publications as an “invasion,” the Russian military leadership has come under intense scrutiny.
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Five Generals Detained
General Valery Gerasimov, who has headed the Russian General Staff since January 2023, appears to have fallen out of favor with President Vladimir Putin. Bloomberg reports that Gerasimov was aware of Kiev’s plans but allegedly failed to inform Putin, potentially jeopardizing his position. Notably, Gerasimov was absent from a Ministry of Defense meeting on August 15, where Defense Minister Andrei Belousov was presented with new defensive measures for the Kursk region. Alexander Bortnikov, head of the FSB, has since taken charge of the anti-terrorist operations in Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk.
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Since May, at least five Russian generals have been arrested on corruption charges, including General-Lieutenant Yuri Kuznetsov and General-Major Vladimir Shesterov. Additionally, Timur Ivanov, a deputy to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, was detained in April in connection with a billion-dollar bribery case.
