Expert: Shoigu Is Preparing ‘Conspiracy’ Of Disgruntled Officers

• 5.10.2023, 16:28

The Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation gathers around him those who are “offended” by the top leadership of the military.

Dissatisfaction with senior leadership is growing among the Russian officer corps. Currently in Russia there is an internal struggle between representatives of the FSB and the Ministry of Defense.

Head of the Center for Military Legal Research Oleksandr Musienko said this in a commentary to RBC-Ukraine:

“Discontent among their officer corps is growing. But it seems to me that there is now an internal struggle in Russia between representatives of the FSB and the Ministry of Defense. And the military is beginning to gain more influence than at any time in recent Russian history.

I think that all these processes, one way or another, are supervised by Shoigu, who, at the expense, in particular, of the “offended” military, wants to convert this into his potential for a future political career. That is, on the one hand, he is trying to deal with them, to repress “dissenters,” and to come to an agreement with those who are more loyal so that in the future they will be useful and support him.

Of course, it is important for Russian generals to maintain their influence and their resources and not become victims of repression. Before, the military was always the lowest caste in Russia, but now they are increasingly declaring their rights, that they should have influence. Now this trend is becoming more noticeable, because there is a serious struggle for a “post-Putin” Russia. Shoigu has serious ambitions, and he needs to consolidate the military vertical and improve the image of the military. And against this background, exalt himself, demonstrating that he can be a leader after Putin.”