The ISW has estimated that insubordination issues may extend beyond the commanding officers to lower-ranking soldiers, further worsening the situation.
Recent developments have seen the recall of two high-ranking officers, General Ivan Popov, the commander of the 58th Combined Army, and General Vladimir Seliverstov, the commander of the 106th Airborne Division. Additionally, reports in the Russian media have emerged about the arrest of General Ramil Ibatullin, the commander of the 90th Armored Division.
Further indications suggest that General Mikhail Teplinsky, the commander of the airborne forces (VDV), is also facing imminent dismissal by the Russian Defense Ministry.
These commanders were responsible for leading units that achieved success in key areas of the conflict in Ukraine, making their resignations appear to be linked to instances of insubordination.
“Both Teplinsky and Popov demanded radical changes in the Russian conduct of the war – that, however necessary they might be, are impossible for Gerasimov or Shoigu to execute given Putin’s unrealistic demands for the war effort, constraints on Russian mobilization, and the Russian MoD’s persistent incompetence,” the report said.
American analysts believe that these developments demonstrate an increasing trend of insubordination among commanders within the Russian army. This situation raises concerns about the extent of control that the commanders-in-chief, Generals Shoigu and Gerasimov, possess over the Russian army.
A crisis within the chain of command would likely diminish Russia's capacity to carry out offensive operations, as stated by the think tank.
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Source: IAR