Putin Fired General Lapin: Who Was Made the Scapegoat for Defeats in Ukraine.

Dismissal of General Lapin

According to The Sun: Vladimir Putin has dismissed General Oleksandr Lapin from his position, and this comes against the backdrop of prolonged military defeats for Russia in Ukraine.

61-year-old General Lapin, according to sources, was removed due to his inability to execute an offensive in the Sumy region — one of the key objectives of this war.

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Lapin, once favored by Putin, received numerous awards, including the highest honor — Hero of Russia. However, his actions have often been criticized for incompetence.

Ramzan Kadyrov, a Putin ally and head of Chechnya, said about him three years ago: “If it were my will, I would have demoted Lapin to private, stripped him of his awards, and sent him to the front to wash away his disgrace with a rifle in hand.”

Reports indicate that Russia has lost three battalions trying to capture the Sumy region, while Ukraine continues to strike. Lapin's dismissal has raised suspicions that Putin is looking for scapegoats for his military failures.

Lapin's Military Career

Throughout the war, Lapin commanded the Center of Forces and was awarded the title of Hero of Russia. He later served as the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and commanded the Leningrad Military District.

Now Lapin will be responsible for recruiting contract soldiers in Tatarstan and interacting with the families of military personnel, including the widows of fallen soldiers.

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Significance of Pokrovsk

Experts note that Ukraine has been actively defending the important city of Pokrovsk for over a year, which is a critical transportation hub for controlling territory.

Capturing this city would significantly bolster Russia's supply lines, while domestic media refer to it as the 'gateway to Donetsk.'

Motocross and Putin's Image

Vladimir Putin shared a story about barely avoiding a fall while trying to start a motorcycle, emphasizing his desire to create an image of a brave leader.

He recounted this story dressed in military uniform, although he was thousands of miles away from the combat zone.

This role is considered less significant compared to the previous one The dismissal of General Lapin indicates rising tensions within Russian military structures in the face of prolonged failures. During the war in Ukraine, his career has undergone significant changes, and new appointments may be an attempt by the Kremlin to find new approaches to combat operations. This confirms that strategic decisions in Russia are often accompanied by internal political struggles and a search for scapegoats.