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Russia military spy boss 'sacked' Russia military spy boss 'sacked'
(9 minutes later)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has dismissed the head of the country's powerful GRU military intelligence service, the Kremlin has said.Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has dismissed the head of the country's powerful GRU military intelligence service, the Kremlin has said.
Mr Medvedev signed a decree on Friday replacing Gen Valentin Korabelnikov with Gen Alexander Shlyakhturov. Officials gave no reason for the move.Mr Medvedev signed a decree on Friday replacing Gen Valentin Korabelnikov with Gen Alexander Shlyakhturov. Officials gave no reason for the move.
Gen Korabelnikov had led the Main Directorate of Intelligence since 1997.Gen Korabelnikov had led the Main Directorate of Intelligence since 1997.
He reportedly tendered his resignation earlier this year over objections to proposed reforms of the agency.He reportedly tendered his resignation earlier this year over objections to proposed reforms of the agency.
The Main Directorate of Intelligence (GRU) of the General Staff is Russia's largest intelligence agency. It is believed to have six times as many agents in foreign countries as the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), one of the successors to the Soviet KGB.The Main Directorate of Intelligence (GRU) of the General Staff is Russia's largest intelligence agency. It is believed to have six times as many agents in foreign countries as the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), one of the successors to the Soviet KGB.
'Differences''Differences'
In a statement on Friday, the Kremlin announced that President Medvedev had signed a decree that "released" Gen Korabelnikov from his post and from military service.In a statement on Friday, the Kremlin announced that President Medvedev had signed a decree that "released" Gen Korabelnikov from his post and from military service.
The GRU is said to have a massive worldwide spy network
Reports suggest there had been differences between the government and the 63-year-old general in recent months over last year's conflict in Georgia, military spending, intelligence strategy, and proposed reforms of the GRU.Reports suggest there had been differences between the government and the 63-year-old general in recent months over last year's conflict in Georgia, military spending, intelligence strategy, and proposed reforms of the GRU.
Some of the proposals were said to have included the disbanding of several GRU-controlled army special forces brigades and the redistribution of the command of some GRU structures to the SVR.Some of the proposals were said to have included the disbanding of several GRU-controlled army special forces brigades and the redistribution of the command of some GRU structures to the SVR.
When rumours of Gen Korabelnikov's resignation circulated in March, defence officials announced that his term of service had been extended by two years.When rumours of Gen Korabelnikov's resignation circulated in March, defence officials announced that his term of service had been extended by two years.
Unnamed GRU sources told Russian media that one of the reasons why the general's resignation had not been accepted at the time was that many of his deputies had refused to assume his post.Unnamed GRU sources told Russian media that one of the reasons why the general's resignation had not been accepted at the time was that many of his deputies had refused to assume his post.
The Kremlin said the new GRU chief, Gen Shlyakhturov, had been one of Gen Korabelnikov's first deputies. Analysts say he is seen by some in the military as a more compliant figure who may not challenge the proposed reforms.The Kremlin said the new GRU chief, Gen Shlyakhturov, had been one of Gen Korabelnikov's first deputies. Analysts say he is seen by some in the military as a more compliant figure who may not challenge the proposed reforms.
In a separate development, three districts in Chechnya have been officially designated zones of counter-terrorist activity only a week after Russia said it had ended its decade-long military campaign against separatist rebels.In a separate development, three districts in Chechnya have been officially designated zones of counter-terrorist activity only a week after Russia said it had ended its decade-long military campaign against separatist rebels.
An official statement said the move was in response to militant activity in Shatoy, Shali and Vedeno.An official statement said the move was in response to militant activity in Shatoy, Shali and Vedeno.