Chief of Russian General Staff Resigned

09.11.2012 Chief of General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Gen. Nikolai Makarov gave a notice of resignation, writes Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Although Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu has already endorsed the resignation, Makarov will leave the office only after approval of the president Putin. Reasons of the Makarov's ouster are not reported.

Sources in defense ministry say the post of Chief of General Staff will be occupied by former Makarov's assistant Gen. Valery Gerasimov who heads Central Military District since May 2012.

According to Kommersant, newly appointed on Nov 6, 2012 defense minister Sergei Shoigu instead of fired Anatoly Serdiukov began consultations on personnel affairs. Early in July 2012, Vladimir Putin extended service age limit for Makarov up to 65 years. However, the officer's service age had already expired the 60-y.o. limit for generals.

As for the source of Kommersant in defense ministry, Makarov was a "right hand" of ex-minister Serdiukov, so his dismissal seems logical. Reportedly, personnel department of Russian defense ministry has already started preparing documents of Gerasimov's appointment on the Chief of General Staff's post.

Prior to his appointment on the chair of Central Military District Commander, Gerasimov had been Makarov's deputy for almost two years. According to sources of Kommersant, his returning to General Staff is associated with Shoigu's wish to see a combat-experienced general heading the military administration agency. In 1998-2003, Gerasimov was Commander of the 58-th Army in North Caucasus Military District, and led headquarters of that district since 2006.

Personnel replacements in Russian defense ministry began after ouster of Serdiukov followed the fraud scandal in the military-led JSC Oboronservis. On Nov 8, Shoigu appointed Gen. Yury Sadovenko director of his office; prior to that, Sadovenko headed Administration of Moscow Region.