British intelligence suggests Moscow has had another shake-up of its military leadership in Ukraine.
General Colonel Mikhail Teplinsky, one of Russia's key operational commanders of its war, has "likely been dismissed".
He was the officer on the ground in charge of Russia's withdrawal from around Kherson city in November.
The British Ministry of Defence said General Teplinsky had "received praise in Russia as a capable and pragmatic commander" and that the Kherson withdrawal had been "relatively successful".
General Teplinsky is also head of the VDV, Russia's airborne forces - although it is not known whether he is still in post.
The MoD said it was possible the commander had partly been dismissed because of debate over tasks the VDV was given.
But it also said the sacking was "likely another symptom of continued divisions within the senior hierarchy of Russia’s operation as General Valery Gerasimov attempts to impose his personal authority on the campaign".
General Gerasimov was recently appointed head of Russia's war operations in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is planning a shake-up of some of his most senior officials amid allegations of corruption.
The country has a long history of shaky governance and corruption, and there are fears the latest allegations could dampen Western enthusiasm for the Kyiv government.
In his latest nightly address, Mr Zelenskyy said changes were being carried out at senior and lower levels.
"There are already personnel decisions - some today, some tomorrow - regarding officials at various levels in ministries and other central government structures, as well as in the regions and in law enforcement," he said.
Meanwhile, several Ukrainian media outlets reported that cabinet ministers and senior officials could be sacked imminently.
Over the weekend, anti-corruption police said they had detained the deputy infrastructure minister on suspicion of receiving a $400,000 kickback over the import of generators last September. He denies the allegation.
Meanwhile, a newspaper investigation accused the defence ministry of overpaying suppliers for soldiers' food.
The supplier has said it made a technical mistake and no money had changed hands.
David Arakhamia, head of Mr Zelenskyy's Servant of the People party, said Ukraine would be "jailing actively" this spring.
"If the humane approach doesn't work, we'll do it in line with martial law," he said.
Source: Skynews.com
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