Karina Bovsunovska13:59, 21.09.25

Now the invader will become an assistant to the head of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov.

The former commander of the Center and North groups of the Russian army, Colonel General Alexander Lapin, was dismissed from the army in August 2025. This was reported by the Russian RBC, citing its sources. 

At the same time, Tatar-inform announced that the occupier will now become an assistant to the head of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov. As sources noted, in the administration of the head of the republic, he will deal with “military issues and work with veterans.”

Currently, the position of commander of the Leningrad Military District has been taken by Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov . 

What is known about Alexander Lapin?

It is known that from the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the invader was the leader of the “Center” group of troops, which reached the outskirts of Kyiv, but after the defeat it was transferred to eastern Ukraine. In this direction, the group occupied Lyman in the Donetsk region, and then Severodonetsk and Lysychansk in the Luhansk region. 

After the Russian occupiers retreated from Liman, Lapin was criticized by the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov. At that time, he called the general “a scoundrel who is being covered up by the leaders at the General Staff.”

Lapin was later dismissed, and in January 2023 was appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Ground Forces. In March last year, the general became the head of the Leningrad Military District and the “North” group, which was formed on its basis. After that, this group was responsible for the Kharkiv and Kursk directions. 

The Wall Street Journal also called Lapin responsible for the problems of Russian defense in Kursk. According to the journalists, the general had a shortage of people, but such a mistake is typical for the top leadership of the Russian Federation, which is usually unaware of the realities of the front. 

The situation on the battlefield – latest news

Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about the counter-offensive operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine . According to him, the Defense Forces continue to destroy the enemy in the Donetsk region.

“Today, about 330 kilometers are under our control, 160 have been liberated, and more than 170 have been cleared of the enemy. We understand that this is where they will now transfer personnel to maintain their positions. They were constantly adding there, because this was their main offensive – the Dobropil, Pokrovsky directions. And now they have brought the 61st Marine Brigade there, realizing that they are losing a large number of their soldiers,” the head of state emphasized. 

At the same time, The Telegraph wrote that  Putin is sending units of sick occupiers to the Pokrovsk “meat grinder.” It is noted that the soldiers in these units wear bandages indicating that they are sick. 

According to journalists, the formation of such units in the Russian army has become another sign of a deepening health crisis, as cases of HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis are rapidly increasing among the troops of Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin.

(C)UNIAN 2025