British intelligence predicts many resignations among Russian commanders

The British Ministry of Defense predicts more resignations in the Russian army, as generals have failed to fulfill the tasks set by the Kremlin and lost a large number of soldiers in Ukraine.

Source. This is stated in the daily intelligence report.

In particular, analysts say that the Russian Defense Ministry has already dismissed Colonel General Rustam Muradov from the post of commander of the Eastern Military District and removed him from operations in Ukraine.

It was under Muradov's command that Russian troops attempted to capture Vuhledar, but suffered extremely heavy losses as they fell into a prearranged trap. Tanks and armored personnel carriers attacking the city found themselves in minefields and under fire from Ukrainian forces, causing the crews to panic and push their own infantry out of the area. According to Oryx's estimates, two elite marine brigades and 103 pieces of equipment, including 36 tanks, were lost in three days. At the same time, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost only 20 pieces of equipment.

Muradov became the head of the district in October. It is also known that Muradov was among the generals who led the offensive on Kyiv after the invasion began. Then his attempt to enter from the northwest also failed.

"Muradov is currently the highest-ranking Russian military officer to be dismissed in 2023, but there are likely to be more as Russia continues to fail to achieve its goals in Donbas," the British intelligence report said.

In early April, analysts from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on the upcoming reshuffle in the Russian military high command. It was emphasized that the results of the winter offensive were a disappointment for the Kremlin, as the army failed to capture Donetsk and Luhansk regions within the administrative borders by March 31.

Valery Gerasimov, the head of the General Staff and commander of the Russian army in Ukraine, was also threatened with resignation. He became the head of the joint force grouping on January 11, replacing Sergei Surovikin, but failed to achieve significant results.

Between January 31 and February 28, the Russian army increased the number of occupied territories by less than 0.04% (234 square kilometers), losing up to 30,000 soldiers.

Background. The Times reported that every 90 meters of Ukrainian land is gained by Russia at the cost of about 2,000 soldiers.