Russian President Vladimir Putin carried out a military shake-up, firing numerous high-ranking officials, including Colonel whose merciless tactics in the Ukraine war earned him the moniker ‘Butcher of Mariupol’.

Alexander Sladkov, a correspondent for the Russian state-run newspaper Izvestia broke the news of General Mizintsev’s departure.

No justification was given for the 60-year-old’s dismissal as deputy defence minister. Mizintsev oversaw the siege of Mariupol, Ukraine, in the early months of the war last year. He was named deputy defence minister in charge of logistics and supplies in September.

The European Union referred to Mizintsev in June, calling him the ‘Butcher of Mariupol’ and accusing him of being responsible for the inhuman siege of the wrecked Ukrainian city, which Russia claims it is now rebuilding.

The defence ministry has not formally commented on the development, while the Kremlin has stated it cannot comment on the subject.

Mr Putin paid a surprise visit to Mariupol in March, his first visit to territory captured from Ukraine since the start of Moscow’s invasion.

The Russian president drove around the city. The Kremlin said he went to a renovated musical theatre and listened to a briefing on reconstruction work.

Russia has taken over more than a sixth of Ukraine’s territory but has suffered tremendous losses throughout the 14-month conflict. It has made no significant gains since last July and has been forced to back significantly near the cities of Kharkiv and Kherson.

It is currently preparing for a Ukrainian counter-offensive while attempting to retake full control of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine after months of stalemate.

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