Putin meets Tula governor tied to Wagner Group, signals Russian military leadership shifts
Vladimir Putin met with Alexei Dyumin, the governor of the Tula region and a member of the Wagner Group. The Institute for the Study of War reports that this meeting could indicate that Putin intends to curb the influence of Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, possibly as a rebuke for failing to meet the Kremlin's military aims.
3 May 2024 09:39
Putin's goal
Furthermore, Russian sources speculate the Kremlin might position Dyumin in a new role. The arrest of Shoigu's deputy Ivanov, along with Dyumin's sudden re-emergence, may suggest the Kremlin is unhappy with Shoigu's performance.
The ISW also notes the meeting between Putin and Dyumin implies that Putin could be behind Ivanov's arrest. Putin frequently reshuffles officials and military leaders, hoping it will spur different factions to achieve his objectives.
Russia's plans. Shoigu issued an order
In recent days, Sergei Shoigu has instructed to ramp up weapon production to accelerate deliveries to the eastern front in Ukraine.
"To maintain the required pace of the offensive, it is necessary to increase the volume and quality of weapons and military equipment supplied to the troops, primarily weapons," Sergei Shoigu stated in an announcement from the Russian Ministry of Defence.