Vladimir Putin met with Alexei Dyumin, the governor of the Tula region, suggesting the Russian president wants to reduce the power of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and punish him for failing to meet the Kremlin’s military goals, the Institute for the Study of War says (ISW), in its latest analysis, quoted by Pravda.
Dyumin informed Putin, during the meeting held in Moscow, about the contribution of the Tula region to the invasion of Ukraine. Dyumin emphasized three aspects, namely the housing received by Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine, the improvement of Russia’s defense industrial base and the improvement of the medical system in the region.
Dyumin’s report appears to be an attempt to get back into Putin’s good graces after he lost ground during the Wagner Group uprising under Yevgeny Prigozhin in late June 2023. Dyumin stood by Prigozhin in 2022 and 2023 , hoping that, with his help, he will be able to take the place of the Russian Minister of Defense, Sergei Shoigu.
ISW believes that Putin intentionally publicized the meeting with Dyumin after the arrest of Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov on April 24 and before Putin’s inauguration on May 7, to punish Shoigu for not fulfilling military objectives set by the Kremlin in Ukraine.
The meeting between Putin and Dyumin sparked debate in the Russian media, with many bloggers and political commentators pointing out that the meeting took place between Ivanov’s arrest and the expected government reshuffle after the inauguration.
Several Russian sources have speculated that the Kremlin may give Dyumin a new role related to the Russian defense industrial base. Other sources also interpreted Shoigu’s May 1 statement that Russia must increase the quantity and quality of weapons and military equipment to “maintain the necessary pace of the offensive” as a direct attack on Russian political figures . An insider claimed that Shoigu launched criticism of Russian Trade Minister Denis Manturov, defense company Rostec and Dmitry Medvedev in response to Ivanov’s arrest.
Shoigu had a close relationship with Ivanov, and his arrest and Dyumin’s return to political prominence could suggest that the Kremlin is unhappy with Shoigu’s work. Another source, however, estimated that Șogu’s departure from the leadership of the ministry in 2024 is unlikely.
Also, the meeting between Putin and Dyumin suggested that Putin was responsible for the decision to arrest Ivanov.
ISW noted that Putin constantly changed military officials and commanders, hoping to encourage different factions to achieve their goals.
Publisher: GM
