Russia to Cut Army Fat, Top Brass

Russia to Cut Army Fat, Top Brass
October 15, 2008
Associated Press

MOSCOW - Russia's defense minister announced Oct. 14 a sweeping reform of the military that will cut hundreds of generals and disband nine of every ten army units.

Though downsized to 1.13 million from the 4 million-member Soviet Army, the military has done little to reduce its number of officers. It maintains almost the same number of military units as in the Soviet era, though many exist only on paper.

By 2012 Russia will reduce its armed forces to 1 million, including around 150,000 officers, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said in televised remarks.

Serdyukov said the Russian military now has 355,000 officers - about one-third the total strength of the military. That's a far greater share than in other nations, he said.

Serdyukov said the number of generals will be cut to 900 from the current 1,100 by phasing them into retirement.


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