There is a very short list of Generals Putin trusts with the Army. He has fired and rehired the same generals in charge of the army like 3 or 4 times in the last 16 months. I think there is a saying about insanity which says something about doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results... Its obvious that Putin only trust the command over the armed forces with two generals. Shoigu then Gerasimov. However, he keeps them guessing as he dumps them continually. Shoigu then Gerasimov then sprinkle in a little Surovikin then Shoigu then Gerasimov...