The disgraced General Lapin became the head of the headquarters of the Ground Forces of the Russian Armed Forces

Colonel-General Alexander Lapin, who was criticized for failures in the war in Ukraine, became the chief of the General Staff of the Ground Forces of the Russian Armed Forces, Ura.ru reported, citing a source in the Defense Ministry. According to the publication, the appointment took place on January 9.

In November Lapina removed from command of the troops of the Central Military District (TsVO) and the grouping of Russian troops “Center” in the war in Ukraine. This happened after the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, demanded his resignation. The Colonel-General was accused of “surrendering” Liman and that he allowed a breakthrough in the defense in the north of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. The position of Kadyrov was supported by the founder of Wagner PMC, businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Lapin, 58, has commanded the Central Military District since 2017. Prior to that, he headed the headquarters of the Russian group in Syria. An acquaintance of the general described him as an “unpretentious and executive” person who “does not just follow orders, but enjoys it.”

It is known that for some time Lapin was a subordinate of Sergei Surovikin, who now leads the Russian army in the war in Ukraine. On July 4, President Vladimir Putin awarded Lapin the title of Hero of Russia for his participation in the capture of the Lugansk region.

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