“Resignation of the head of intelligence was reaction on reforms”

The resignation of Russia’s head of military intelligence has been accepted by President Dmitry Medvedev. Dmitry Suslov of the Council of Foreign and Defence Policy gives his analysis.

General Valentin Korabelnikov had headed the main directorate of intelligence, known as the GRU, since 1997.

The Kremlin said the general had reached retirement age.

He had reportedly tendered his resignation in March due to differences between himself and the government over his proposed reforms of the agency.

He will be most remembered for the role played in both the first and second anti-terrorist campaigns in Chechnya.

According to the Interfax news agency, the general will now become an advisor to the military.