Head of Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of Russian General Staff dismissed
Russian media are speculating about possible reasons of dismissal of head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Russian General Staff Valentin Korabelnikov. Though he was sent to resignation with honour, having given a state award, according to some sources, it was not a usual resignation due to end of term of service, radio Ekho Moskvy reports. 
   Question about Korabelnikov's resignation
On March 17, AIA paid attention to the fact of absence of General Korabelnikov at the enlarged Russian Ministry of Defence board session. Russian media reported then that the GRU head was

Valentin Korabelnikov

simply on holidays. Reports on alleged forthcoming resignation of Valentin Korabelnikov were repeatedly appearing last months. Late last year, mass media reported that the GRU chief has submitted an official report of resignation because of disagreement on the military reform. Then these reports were named by the Ministry of Defence «outright lies».
This spring the question on General Korabelnikov’s resignation re-emerged again against the background of reduction of the GRU special-task brigades. However, the ministry assured that the chief of the GRU would continue to execute his duties and would get engaged in carrying out of the military intelligence reform. Even more, it was reported that the general’s term of service had been prolonged for two years up to the age limit.
General Korabelnikov wrote an official report on dismissal in connection with achievement of age limit of stay on military service, according to Russian Ministry of Defence. His official report has been satisfied, the official spokesman of the ministry has added. In the ministry it was explained to news agency RIA Novosti that the age limit of service in Russian Armed Forces now makes 60 years; Korabelnikov is 63 years old this year and earlier his contract was prolonged for three years. 
   GRU head reportedly disagreed with reforms
Meanwhile, the ministry’s sources of the news agency reported that Korabelnikov had written the official report on dismissal as the result of disagreement with the proposed reform of the Main Intelligence Directorate. In particular, he reportedly opposed disbandment and re-subordination of efficient GRU divisions under the commanders of military districts of the Ministry of Defence, and he was also against reduction of structure of the military intelligence service.
The reform plan would place some GRU units under the general military command and end the service's status as an independent federal agency. The reforms would also see a reduction in the number of generals and personnel, making them deeply unpopular in the military.
Appointed the GRU chief in May, 1997, General Korabelnikov has been the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Russian General Staff for the last 12 years. Valentin Korabelnikov was born on January 4, 1946. In the 1990s he repeatedly went to the zone of operations in the Chechen Republic. During one of business trips to the Chechen Republic he was wounded. In July, 1999, received an official note of thanks from President Boris Yeltzin for 'the significant contribution to process of settlement of the Kosovo conflict’. Army General since 2003. The Hero of Russia (1999). As an expert of systems of information supply for acceptance of military and political decisions, he is an author of a number of publications. 
  From holidays to post of adviser
Last two months, according to press, Korabelnikov was on holidays, and now the Russian President has satisfied his official report on resignation, radio Ekho Moskvy marks.
News agency RIA Novosti reported today, referring to a high-ranking source in the Ministry of Defence, that General Korabelnikov was appointed an adviser to the chief of the General Staff. It was also said that Korabelnikov was dismissed from military service on age. Daily Moskovsky Komsomolets adds that President Medvedev has signed the decree on Korabelnikov’s dismissal still last week. Medvedev also awarded Korabelnikov with the order For Services to the Fatherland, 3rd class for his achievements in strengthening the country’s defence potential.
"I don't think that Korabelnikov asked to be relieved of his post," said Alexander Goltz, a leading Russian defence analyst, told The Daily Telegraf. "Generals in such a high position rarely resign voluntarily. His removal is the result of a clash between bureaucratic clans that is impossible to decipher."
  GRU has changed
The GRU for the last of two dozen years has noticeably lost in activity and quality, online paper Grani.ru comments. First, the personnel has partly been sent away, some left for pre-schedule pension, others have found different jobs. Secondly, the circle of tasks abroad has narrowed. Thirdly, against the background of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), the GRU has steadily transformed into the body of tactical intelligence, as well as performance of special tasks in the structure of appropriating types of Armed Forces. From here comes talking about partial absorption by the SVR of the GRU divisions adapted for conducting of work abroad. And everything that will be not accept by the SVR headquarters, remains with the army at more modest level of the General Staff’s intelligence directorate. Most likely such decision is already accepted. It was extremely important for minister Anatoly Serdyukov that the further reform was carried out by the authoritative General Korabelnikov: his accession to generals’ opposition would be extremely unpleasant for the Minister of Defence. Those who sees Korabelnikov as a potential leader of military opposition to the Kremlin are mistaken, Grani.ru concludes.
The former chief of the Russian Airborne Force intelligence Pavel Popovskikh, the head of the central council of the Union of Airborne Troops of Russia, told Kommersant that Korabelnikov’s resignation was connected with the fact that he did not fit in the ‘court yard’ of the present Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov. „I am sure that this time simply nobody wanted to listen to him", Popovskikh is cited by the newspaper.
  Who is General Shlyakhturov?
The paper’s source in the Presidential administration told that the question of the GRU chief’s resignation has been considered since January but it was not easy to decide who would replace him.
It is reported that Lieutenant-General Alexander Shlyakhturov, the former deputy chief of the GRU, has been appointed the new head of the GRU and simultaneously also the deputy chief of the General Staff, news agency Interfax expands. He is seen as a more compliant figure who is less likely to challenge the reforms. It is very little known about Lieutenant-General Alexander Shlyakhturov. He was born on February 14, 1947; he is married, two children. According to a source of daily Kommersant, until recently he was responsible for the so-called strategic intelligence of the GRU. The vice-chairman of the State Duma defense committee Mikhail Babich told the Kommersant that Alexander Shlyakhturov was a high-level professional who supervised one of the GRU key directions. Besides, his appointment would mean continuity and Shlyakhturov would manage to successfully organize the directorate’s work.
According to the editor-in-chief of the website Agentura.ru, Andrei Soldatov, "Korabelnikov’s resignation is favourable to the Ministry of Defence leadership as the GRU has been undergoing serious reconstruction and a new boss is necessary for already new directorate".
The GRU chief of staff General Nikolai Kostechko has not yet been sent on pension yet, however, he, in fact, does not participate in the GRU work, according to Moskovsky Komsomolets.