Russia fires Mariupol-sanctioned deputy defense minister. According to a military blogger and a renowned news website, Russian Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev, the “Butcher of Mariupol” for his involvement in the Ukraine war, has been sacked as deputy defense minister.
Last year, Mizintsev led the Mariupol siege. He became logistics and supplies deputy defense minister in September.
The EU called Mizintsev the Butcher of Mariupol and blamed him for the “inhuman” siege of the Ukrainian city, which Russia maintains it is reconstructing.
RBC and military blogger Alexander Sladkov reported his departure. However, neither explained his apparent removal.
The Kremlin declined to comment and forwarded inquiries to the military ministry, which did not immediately answer.
During the 14-month war, Russia took over a sixth of Ukraine’s territory but suffered heavy losses. Since July, it has lost ground around Kharkiv and Kherson.
After months of fighting, it is preparing for a Ukrainian counter-offensive while aiming to conquer Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine.
In January, Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff, removed Sergei Surovikin as head of Russia’s “special military operation” without explanation.
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