The new chef of the Russian Secret Service
From the 24-th of April 2009 the Russian Secret Service has a new chef executive, general Aleksandr Vasilievicz Shliachturov. His predecessor – Valentyn Korabielnikov - has given up his position in a protest against the modernisation of the Russian Army.
Valentyn Korabielnikov has held an office for 12 years. He decided to quit the position in a protest against the modernisation of the Russian Army. The modernisation is being forced by the Ministry if Defence Anatolij Serdiukov. Korabielnikov have had to put his resignation note three times. No more than a month earlier the Ministry of Defence has informed that the staff crisis has ended and that Korabielnikov is staying at the position. What’s more the special decree was issue informing that General Korabielnikov has extended his service for another two years even though he has reached his retirement age three years ago.
So what was the reason that pushed Korabielnikov to resignation?
According to the experts it has all came down to the Spetsnaz (Russian Special Purpose Regiment). The general was against the modernisation and the changes in the subordination rules. The plan was to change the subordination model from the central (GRU – Main Intelligence Directorate) to the local military districts commanders, civil Intelligence Service and even the Ministry of Defence. Finally he has given up when he tried to reduce the number of Spetsnaz brigades assigned for dissolution.
But the experts from the military magazine “Wzgliad” and “Sunday Arguments” believe that the resignation was planned for long time before because Korabielnikow and the Defence Minister could not reach the agreement in the modernisation’s conditions. Serdiukov’s idea was supported by the majority within the army representatives.
One day before Korabielnikov’s resignation, on the 23-rd of April Serdiukov has reported to the President Miedviediev that the necessary reform documents has been finalized. The reform contains the change from the division-regiment army structure to the brigade army structure – similar to the U.S. army model, which supposed to make an army more mobile and their commanders more independent. The reform also aims the reduction in the employment from 1,13 million to 1 million personnel; from 315 thousand to 150 thousand the officer corps (more than a half!) and from 1100 to 900 the general corps. On top of that the defence resort is going to be reduced by a half and there will be no vacancies for warrant officers and boatswains. The reforms also include the changes whiting the secret service structure which will not be federal any longer (even though formally it will) and will depend on the local commanders. Also some of the Main Intelligence Directorate responsibilities will be taken over by the Foreign Intelligence Service.
Korabielnikov have had the reputation of a main opponent to the Minister of Defencece. Informally called “civil” and “furniture salesman” (he has worked in the “Mebel-Market” furniture store before) he took the position from Sergiej Ivanov – ex KGB officer and the unlucky Putin’s favourite for the President of Russia.
According to Vitalij Portnikov, the Ukrainian commentator for the Svoboda Radio, Korabielnikov’s resignation initiates the new wave where the people connected with Putin are being replaced by people from outside his circle. Portnikov believes that the new general Shliachturov, only as a temporary chef, with the “old staff” support will open the door for the new management.
(n)
Based on the: www.lenta.ru, “Sunday Arguments”, “Wzgliad”, “Svoboda Radio”.
What is GRU?
GRU – Glavnoje Razvedyvatel’noje (General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation) is the general structure of the Army’s secret service also known as IV Directorate of the General Staff or “Unit 44388” with the headquarter in Moscow at the Choroshevski Prospect. Their commander reports only to the Defence Minister and to the chef if the General Staff.
So what was the reason that pushed Korabielnikov to resignation?
According to the experts it has all came down to the Spetsnaz (Russian Special Purpose Regiment). The general was against the modernisation and the changes in the subordination rules. The plan was to change the subordination model from the central (GRU – Main Intelligence Directorate) to the local military districts commanders, civil Intelligence Service and even the Ministry of Defence. Finally he has given up when he tried to reduce the number of Spetsnaz brigades assigned for dissolution.
But the experts from the military magazine “Wzgliad” and “Sunday Arguments” believe that the resignation was planned for long time before because Korabielnikow and the Defence Minister could not reach the agreement in the modernisation’s conditions. Serdiukov’s idea was supported by the majority within the army representatives.
One day before Korabielnikov’s resignation, on the 23-rd of April Serdiukov has reported to the President Miedviediev that the necessary reform documents has been finalized. The reform contains the change from the division-regiment army structure to the brigade army structure – similar to the U.S. army model, which supposed to make an army more mobile and their commanders more independent. The reform also aims the reduction in the employment from 1,13 million to 1 million personnel; from 315 thousand to 150 thousand the officer corps (more than a half!) and from 1100 to 900 the general corps. On top of that the defence resort is going to be reduced by a half and there will be no vacancies for warrant officers and boatswains. The reforms also include the changes whiting the secret service structure which will not be federal any longer (even though formally it will) and will depend on the local commanders. Also some of the Main Intelligence Directorate responsibilities will be taken over by the Foreign Intelligence Service.
Korabielnikov have had the reputation of a main opponent to the Minister of Defencece. Informally called “civil” and “furniture salesman” (he has worked in the “Mebel-Market” furniture store before) he took the position from Sergiej Ivanov – ex KGB officer and the unlucky Putin’s favourite for the President of Russia.
According to Vitalij Portnikov, the Ukrainian commentator for the Svoboda Radio, Korabielnikov’s resignation initiates the new wave where the people connected with Putin are being replaced by people from outside his circle. Portnikov believes that the new general Shliachturov, only as a temporary chef, with the “old staff” support will open the door for the new management.
(n)
Based on the: www.lenta.ru, “Sunday Arguments”, “Wzgliad”, “Svoboda Radio”.
What is GRU?
GRU – Glavnoje Razvedyvatel’noje (General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation) is the general structure of the Army’s secret service also known as IV Directorate of the General Staff or “Unit 44388” with the headquarter in Moscow at the Choroshevski Prospect. Their commander reports only to the Defence Minister and to the chef if the General Staff.
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