An Interfaks source in the Defense Ministry says Air Forces CINC, General-Colonel Aleksandr Zelin might be retiring on age grounds. The rumor goes that Zelin’s Deputy for Aviation, General-Lieutenant Igor Sadofyev will relieve him, while Zelin moves into a defense industry job. RIA Novosti reports the same story, citing several media outlets. The Air Forces spokesman, meanwhile, says the VVS cannot comment because it doesn’t have any information to this effect.
RIA Novosti talked to defense commentator Igor Korotchenko, who expressed caution about the Zelin rumor, but said the move to four MDs / OSKs has diminished the service CINC’s influence:
“The role and place of the main commands of the services of the Armed Forces has been reduced accordingly. Practically all aviation, except strategic, will be subordinate to the OSK commander.”
He says the story of Zelin’s possible departure may have surfaced because of the downgrading of the service CINCs.
It’s interesting that age was cited since Zelin’s only 57, and can serve until age 60 under the law. He’s headed the VVS since May 2007.
The three-star general was the subject of dismissal rumors in 2009 when the General Staff Chief and Defense Minister were allegedly unhappy with his insufficient command of air-space (aerospace) defense (VKO) issues. See Newsru.com and Grani.ru for that story.
Russian Defense Policy 