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Russian commander fired from military post, but not dismissed from military service

MOSCOW, December 20. /ITAR-TASS/. Colonel General Vladimir Chirkin is fired from the post of the chief commander of the Russian Ground Troops, but he is not dismissed from the military service, Russian State Secretary and Deputy Defence Minister Nikolai Pankov told Itar-Tass on Friday.

“According to the presidential decree issued on December 2 Vladimir Chirkin is fired from the post of the chief commander of the Russian Ground Troops, but he is not dismissed from the military service,” the deputy defence minister said. “Further military service of General Chirkin in the Russian Armed Forces will fully depend from the results of the investigation on the accusations brought against him,” Nikolai Pankov noted.

“General Chirkin does not plead guilty,” he added, noting with regret that a combat general, a highly educated and highly qualified commander, who enjoys respect and authority in the army has to pass” through all this.

Vladimir Chirkin is accused of taking a massive bribe for the assistance to receive a flat from the Defence Ministry, spokesman of the Russian Investigative Committee Vladimir Markin told Itar-Tass on Friday.

“The military investigation department of the Russian Investigative Committee is investigating the criminal case against Colonel General Chirkin. He is accused of taking a bribe through a mediator,” Markin added.

Terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

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