{
  "id": 10494662,
  "title": "Russian general Alexander Lapin, dismissed from military service after setbacks in Ukraine, becomes Tatarstan deputy prime minister overseeing war-related affairs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/russian-general-alexander-lapin-dismissed-from-military-service-after",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T16:48:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Meduza (English)",
    "slug": "meduza-english",
    "url": "https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/09/28/russian-general-alexander-lapin-dismissed-from-military-service-after-setbacks-in-ukraine-becomes-tatarstan-deputy-prime-minister-overseeing-war-related-affairs"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tatarstan’s ruler, Rustam Minnikhanov, announced the formation of a dedicated department to aid those involved in the military operation. The head of this new department will be retired Colonel General Alexander Lapin, who currently serves as deputy prime minister. Lapin has a history with the operation, previously working alongside Minnikhanov on related matters. Although he was once a candidate to lead the Defense Committee in the State Duma, his nomination was not approved by Moscow. At the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Lapin led the Center Group of Forces, which got close to Kyiv. However, he was removed from his position after Russian forces pulled back from Lyman in the Donetsk region. Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov harshly criticized Lapin, labeling him as \"incompetent and protected by top officials in the General Staff.\" In January 2023, Lapin assumed the role of chief of staff for the Russian Ground Forces. Later that year, he took over as commander of the Leningrad Military District. The North Group of Forces, which played a role in the Kursk sector, was established around the same time. Lapin has faced scrutiny for perceived issues with Russian defenses. In August 2025, he was compelled to resign from his position.",
  "summary": "Tatarstan’s leader, Rustam Minnikhanov, said the regional government will create a separate department for “supporting participants in the special military operation.” Retired Colonel General Alexander Lapin will oversee it as deputy prime minister.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "UATV English",
        "title": "Council of Europe Chief Berset Condemns Russian Attack on Ukraine’s Academy of Sciences: “Impunity Will Not Prevail”",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/council-of-europe-chief-berset-condemns-russian-attack-on-ukraines",
        "published": "2026-09-28T16:09:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Meduza (English)",
        "title": "Rights group says Russian elections expert Alexander Kynev was beaten during arrest, hospitalized with two lower-leg fractures",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/rights-group-says-russian-elections-expert-alexander-kynev-was-beaten",
        "published": "2026-09-28T16:12:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Interfax-Ukraine",
        "title": "Ukraine's National Commission for UNESCO condemns damage to National Academy of Sciences building caused by Russian attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/ukraines-national-commission-for-unesco-condemns-damage-to-national",
        "published": "2026-09-28T18:00:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "Russian drones hammer apartments and cultural landmark in Ukraine, killing 7",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/russian-drones-hammer-apartments-and-cultural-landmark-in-ukraine",
        "published": "2026-09-28T18:58:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}