In a significant development, Russian Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev, who had been sanctioned by the West and earned the infamous moniker "Butcher of Mariupol" for his role in the Ukraine war, has been removed from his position as deputy defence minister. This news was reported by a military blogger and a leading news website, shedding light on the internal dynamics within Russia's military leadership.
Mizintsev was the orchestrator of the brutal siege of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol during the early months of the conflict last year. Despite his controversial past, he was appointed as deputy defence minister in September, tasked with overseeing logistics and supplies.
As of now, Russia's defence ministry has not issued an immediate response to the claim, leaving the situation surrounding Mizintsev's removal unclear. However, this unexpected development raises questions about the internal power struggles and potential policy changes within the Russian military.