The Officer Who Beat The Generals Leaves His Position in DPR

The defense minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Igor Strelkov, resigned from the post Thursday, the republic’s officials said in a statement.

"At today’s session, the Cabinet of Ministers approved DPR Defense Minister Strelkov’s resignation due to his appointment to a new position," the statement reads.

Alexander Zakharchenko, who heads the republic’s Council of Ministers, said that Strelkov would "do other important work," but did not give any further details.

Vladimir Kononov was nominated to the bew defense minister’s post, his candidacy is to be approved Friday, with the figure of Nikolai Strelkov like his Deputy Chief - the Chief of the Main Staff .

Igor Strelkov was previously the leader of Slaviansk self-defense forces, and was included on the European Union’s sanctions list.

Earlier today, the leader of another recently proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic in ex-Eastern Ukraine, Valery Bolotov, said he was temporarily stepping down due to the effects of injuries, pointing the current Minister of Defence, Igor Plotnitsky, like his successor in office.