Putin purges more high-ranking generals after Russian troops are forced to withdraw from south-eastern Ukrainian city

RUSSIAN military chiefs have removed several generals from key roles as their advance stalls. The move comes after Ukrainian forces were told to withdraw from the south-eastern city of Severodonetsk to regroup and limit casualties. Putin has purged Alexander Dvornikov following heavy losses in southern Ukraine Defence Intelligence, part of the MoD, said Gen-Col Andrei Serdyukov is likely out as Airborne Forces commander. Also gone is Alexandr Dvornikov, commander Southern Group of Forces General of the Army. He could be replaced by Sergei Surovikin — dogged by corruption and brutality claims in his 30-year career. Defence Intelligence said: “Since the start of June, the Russian high command has highly likely removed several Generals from key operational command roles.” READ MORE WORLD NEWS PLANE INFERNO Four killed after Russian military plane crashes 'en route to Ukraine' FINAL BLOW Putin to be overthrown by three key rivals in 'hammer' coup claims ex-CIA chief This comes amid fears Vladimir Putin may be purging his inner circle after four recent “suicides” of gas industry executives linked to the tyrant. In April, the suicides were labelled “suspicious” by Russian sources including a former FSB colonel on the Telegram messaging channel. On February 25, the day after the Ukraine war started, the body of Alexander Tyulakov, 61, a senior Gazprom financial and security official at deputy general director level, was discovered by his lover. His neck was in a noose in his £500,000 home.  Andrei Serdyukov has reportedly been sacked as Airborne Forces commander Most read in News HIGH STREET HORROR Man stabbed to death outside Wetherspoons as cops launch murder probe ROUGH LANDING Shocking moment man fights airport workers & knocks girlfriend to ground KILLER SPY PM's son pushed 'brilliant' student, 21, to her death from window at spy school BAR TERROR Two dead in shooting at gay bar in Oslo as police charge gunman with terrorism TOTAL FRAUD Fraudster scammed more than £700k over 13 years claiming she was bed-bound ANGELS OF DEATH Brit-led fighters blast Russian tank with missile in daring raid in Ukraine