Kadyrov, Prigozhin likely achieved dismissal of General Lapin - ISW

The Institute for the Study of War reports.

American analysts draw attention to the fact that Alexander Lapin, commander of "Center" group of Russian troops in Ukraine, has probably been removed from his post.

The reports of Lapin’s dismissal, whether true or false, indicate that Russian siloviki faction is gaining dominance in the information space that allows it to damage the image of the Russian higher military command that the MoD would likely prefer to present.

Experts include Kadyrov and Prigozhin both have publicly attacked Lapin on several occasions, leading some milbloggers to point out that other Russian district commanders did not receive any criticism despite their own failings (and firings). Kremlin-sponsored outlets cited reports from Chechnya-based TV channel “Grozny,” milbloggers, and other unnamed official sources that Lapin no longer commands Russian forces in northern Luhansk region.

Some Russian milbloggers claimed that Lapin resigned on his own initiative, while others claimed that he was unfairly terminated. A Wagner-affiliated milblogger claimed that Lapin lost his position due to his devastating failure to deploy and organize mobilized men in his zone of responsibility.  

"The increasing transparency within the Russian information space—spearheaded by the siloviki Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and Wagner Group financier Yevgeniy Prigozhin, and the pro-war community—is likely making it more challenging for the Kremlin to conceal and explain away any command changes in public", ISW concluded.

• On October 1, head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, blamed commander of the Central Military District of Russian Federation, Colonel General Oleksandr Lapin, for Russia's defeat in Lyman in Donetsk region.