Putin removed General
Nikolai Makarov as his top general and replaced him with General Valery
Gerasimov, the commander of Russia's forces in the central military district
who has served in the turbulent Chechnya region. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with newly appointed armed forces Chief-of-Staff Valery Gerasimov (L) and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu during their meeting in Moscow's Kremlin November 9, 2012.
The shakeup at the top of the armed forces of a country that is a nuclear power and permanent member of the United Nations Security Council rapidly followed the abrupt dismissal of Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov on Tuesday.
The changes made clear that the new defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, was immediately making his mark on the ministry. Putin said Gerasimov was Shoigu's choice.
"I think that the minister has picked a suitable candidate and I hope that you will work hard and efficiently," Putin said at a meeting with Shoigu and Gerasimov.
Serdyukov was replaced following the launch of an investigation into corruption at a Defense Ministry company. He had made many enemies in the world of politics and the military as he carried out reforms to modernize the armed forces.
Gerasimov has been deputy chief of the general staff since 2010 and is a veteran of the Soviet and Russian armies.
Gerasimov was also appointed first deputy defense minister in a decree signed by Putin.
Separately, Putin named Arkady Bakhin as another first deputy defense minister, relieving him of his position as commander of Russia's forces in its western military district.
TTO
