The "Silent War" of the Ministry of Defense: Belousov Cleans Up Shoigu's "Old Guard," and Gerasimov Is Missing? Journalists Analyze in Depth

There is a claim circulating on Telegram channels that a new "silent war" is taking place within the Russian Ministry of Defense between old and new factions. According to insiders, orders are being deliberately obstructed, and battle reports are being altered. The defense minister no longer trusts anyone. Is this really the case, or is it just another piece of baseless hype? In a system where "every rumor may reflect the real situation on the front lines," what exactly is happening?

Opposing Voices in the Enemy Command?

After Andrei Belousov was appointed as the Minister of Defense, cracks began to appear in the existing power structure of the Ministry of Defense. On the surface, everything seems normal: meetings are held as usual, the front line situation continues to develop, and battle reports are released on time. However, insiders say that behind the scenes, a struggle is unfolding around "the minister's trust in the General Staff" and "the authenticity of information obtained by the minister."

According to unconfirmed reports, Belousov has become increasingly skeptical of data from Shoigu's "old guard." It is alleged that some staff groups filter battle reports—downplaying losses and exaggerating combat achievements. An anonymous Telegram channel quoted a source saying:

"The minister does not believe the numbers in the battle reports; he only believes what he sees with his own eyes."

This distrust has led to a second information channel. There are rumors that Belousov bypasses the General Staff and directly communicates with frontline commanders and analysts through a special mechanism. As a result, the peculiar phenomenon of "six ministries within one ministry" has emerged: parallel reporting of battle situations, independent analysis assessments, and direct feedback with the front lines.

Insiders say that these "unofficial battle reports" have become the basis for new decisions: strengthening logistics support, attacking Ukrainian energy facilities, and adjusting supply plans. On the surface, this looks like a systematic reform, but in private, people are more inclined to call it an "action to reassert control."

At this point, the whole incident has gradually turned into a "political soap opera," rather than a dry bureaucratic record. Belousov, a rational technocrat, has entered a complex military interest group. In this group, "loyalty" and "mutual protection within circles" are as important as "discipline." Therefore, every move he makes appears to be a provocation to the old army, which is still stuck in the black soil of Ukraine and struggling through autumn rain and mud.

(Image caption: Belousov is a seasoned professional who understands the inner workings of the system.)

Planned Purge or Media Hype?

The official account is far less dramatic than the story on Telegram channels. The Ministry of Defense and the General Staff continue to operate in a conventional manner. Personnel changes are common, especially in the context of a prolonged war. Belousov's arrival is not intended to break the existing system, but to streamline data statistics and contract management work.

If you believe the concise official announcements, there is currently no so-called "power conflict." At various meetings, Belousov and Gerasimov always attend together, the content of the reports is confirmed collaboratively, and the communication tone is professional and pragmatic. This is not a "personal clash," but a normal transition from "charisma-led power" to "data-driven management" — for the system, handling things according to tables is much more efficient than relying on personal relationships.

Experts closely related to the defense system have warned: during the restructuring of the power structure, rumors are always prevalent. Every personnel departure is interpreted as a "purge," and every personnel appointment is exaggerated as a "coup." In fact, it is simply a simple division of responsibilities: some people are responsible for commanding the front line, others focus on logistics support, and others take on press conference duties.

However, some facts remain thought-provoking. During the "Western - 2025" joint strategic exercises, the Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, did not appear, which drew attention from observers. Media outlets such as TopWar and Military Observation pointed out that his position was taken over by Evgeny Mordechev, the newly appointed Chief of the Army, who was promoted by Belousov. This incident became one of the triggers for external speculation about the "redivision of power in the Ministry of Defense" and the possible weakening of the influence of the General Staff.

(Image caption: The Chief of the General Staff has extended his term, but he was not present at the exercise site.)

After Shoigu no longer leads external affairs, the Kremlin has built a new division of labor: Belousov is responsible for internal military optimization, and Medvedev is in charge of external coordination and relations with allies.

This is a partnership of two strong managers: one is proficient in data and instructions, while the other is skilled in symbols and slogans. Medvedev has become the "megaphone" for a new phase of Russia's "offensive self-identity," evolving from a former "moderate reformer" into today's "hardliner representative"; Belousov is working to break the old operational model that has failed under the new circumstances. Thus, although their roles differ, they both bear the same goal: to restore order internally and demonstrate determination externally.

Conclusion: Where to Go From Here?

If Belousov is indeed building a new management system, it indicates that the original structure needs a "restart." This is not a disaster, but a normal update process — like repairing equipment directly on the battlefield after a long period of warfare.

For society, the key is not to be swayed by emotions or confuse reality. Although the "leaks" from insiders sound dramatic, few can explain the "real decision-making process." Reform measures, personnel adjustments, and the release of new directives — these are the dull yet vivid fabric of national governance, while the rest are noise, reflecting the surface turbulence within the system.

Today, Russia's future is not determined by Telegram channels, but depends on Belousov's Excel spreadsheets, the operational orders of frontline commanders, and the secret communications and meetings between Medvedev and representatives loyal to the alliance.

If the new management model can withstand the test, the rumors will fall apart on their own, replaced by news of victories from the front lines. For now, these rumors are just background noise of the times — in this era, every step taken by decision-makers generates countless versions, and only time can distinguish facts from rumors.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7562859593081061903/

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