Vladimir Putin has been accused of trying to "coup proof" his regime by "purging" high-rankers.

Suspicions the Russian President is losing grip and unable to control his own staff have circulated widely following the apprehension of Major General Ivan Popov, 49. The general, who once commanded Russia's 58th Combined Arms Army in Ukraine, was sacked from his military role last year after condemning the "mass deaths and injuries" of Russian soldiers in Ukraine. ...

Trent Telenko, who used to work at the US Department of Defense and studied Russian military logistics, argued the series of arrests is proof that Putin's purge of the Russian military is 'picking up steam'. "It won't stop until no one competent is left," he added.