“To understand Putin is to understand Russia’s enduring sense of vulnerability and its desire for respect on the world stage.” — Fiona Hill
“Putin has positioned himself as the defender of Russia’s sovereignty, using both military might and strategic alliances to protect and expand his nation’s influence.”
The recent appointment of former Kremlin agent Aleksey Dyumin to oversee defense operations in Russia’s Kursk region signals a move by Vladimir Putin to identify and potentially oust officers responsible for failing to prevent Ukraine’s recent incursion, according to insights from a U.S.-based think tank.
#RussiaUkraineWar: Russia’s President Putin appoints Alexander Dyumin in charge of Kursk defence@Mohammed11Saleh speaks to @markomihkelson, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Estonian Parliament, for more insights
Watch more on https://t.co/dm7SyC01cG pic.twitter.com/u7iFJfYChv
— WION (@WIONews) August 14, 2024
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggests that the Russian President is keen on uncovering “how and why he was misled” regarding Ukraine’s tactics and intentions. This assessment comes amid growing speculation among military bloggers and analysts that Dyumin’s new role could lead to the downfall of several high-ranking Russian officials and commanders.
The analysis followed comments from Nikolay Ivanov, a deputy from the Kursk region in Russia’s State Duma, who confirmed that Dyumin, once Putin’s bodyguard, was “assigned to oversee the counterterrorist operation” in the Kursk region. Ivanov highlighted that Dyumin’s primary objective is to neutralize the Ukrainian forces that penetrated the region on August 6, a move that appeared to catch Moscow by surprise.
While there has been no official confirmation from Russia regarding Dyumin’s appointment, the ISW noted that reports of his involvement have fueled widespread speculation among Russian military bloggers and political commentators. Many of these commentators have interpreted Dyumin’s appointment as a sign of Putin’s dissatisfaction with his security agencies and a possible prelude to a broader military-political reshuffle.
🇷🇺Good news. Putin appoints General Alexei Dumin to take charge of the Russian operations in Kursk. pic.twitter.com/SyxB8DRwXk
— Roberto (@UniqueMongolia) August 13, 2024
The ISW further reported that several Kremlin-affiliated military bloggers see Dyumin’s appointment as a step towards reasserting Moscow’s control over the situation in the Kursk region. These bloggers believe that Dyumin’s findings will play a crucial role in determining the future of several senior Russian officials and military commanders, who may face consequences for their perceived failures.
Russian journalist Alexander Sladkov added weight to these speculations by describing Dyumin as “Putin’s man” on his Telegram channel, noting that Dyumin will ensure the President is not misled by any reports regarding the situation.
The discussion around Dyumin’s role coincides with reports that Russia’s army chief, Valery Gerasimov, is under scrutiny for allegedly ignoring intelligence warnings about Ukraine’s planned assault on the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region. Bloomberg reported on August 8 that Kremlin insiders expressed frustration with Gerasimov’s management of the war, a sentiment echoed on Russian Telegram channels as Ukrainian forces continued to make gains in the Kursk region.
Reports indicate that Ukraine has secured more territory in the Kursk region in recent days than Russia has captured in Ukraine since the beginning of the year. Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, stated that the area of military operations in Kursk exceeded 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) as of Monday.
Colonel General Aleksey Dyumin will coordinate the actions of the Russian Armed Forces group with security agencies and authorities in the Kursk region
According to media reports, presidential aide Colonel General Alexei Dyumin, on the personal instructions of Vladimir Putin,… pic.twitter.com/zDl9XcMAME
— ☦️Jacob🇷🇺Charite☦️ Иагов (@jaccocharite) August 13, 2024
U.S. President Joe Biden commented on the situation, stating that the armored assault into Russia has created a “real dilemma” for Putin, though he refrained from elaborating further. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated that the U.S. had no involvement in the Ukrainian operation, emphasizing that it is up to Ukraine to address the matter.
Quotes
- “Putin’s leadership is defined by a blend of pragmatism and assertiveness, driving Russia’s return to prominence in a complex global order.”
- “Vladimir Putin is a master of realpolitik, leveraging Russia’s strengths to influence global dynamics in ways that often catch the West off guard.”
- “The Russian military leadership is a blend of tradition and modernity, shaped by a history of resilience and a readiness to adapt to new forms of warfare.”
- “In Russia, the military is not just a force; it is a symbol of national pride, deeply intertwined with the country’s identity and global ambitions.”
Major Points:
- Aleksey Dyumin, a former Kremlin agent, has been appointed to oversee defense operations in Russia’s Kursk region, signaling Vladimir Putin’s intent to address failures in preventing Ukraine’s incursion.
- The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggests that Putin is eager to uncover how and why he was misled about Ukraine’s tactics, potentially leading to the removal of high-ranking Russian officials and commanders.
- Reports indicate that Dyumin’s primary mission is to neutralize Ukrainian forces that entered the Kursk region on August 6, catching Moscow off guard.
- The appointment has sparked widespread speculation among Russian military bloggers and commentators about potential military-political reshuffles within the Russian leadership.
- Russia’s army chief, Valery Gerasimov, is reportedly under scrutiny for ignoring warnings about Ukraine’s planned assault, as Ukrainian forces make significant gains in the Kursk region.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
