Beast-in-the-East: Panicking Putin Calls Up Obese 20-st Retired General to Lead Forces in Ukraine

In a striking—and arguably desperate—move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recalled 67-year-old “General Pavel,” a retired officer weighing around 20 stone (approximately 280 lbs / 127 kg), to take command of special forces in eastern Ukraine. Reports cite a succession of battlefield losses among Russia’s senior leadership as the key reason behind this decision—Putin is allegedly “scraping the barrel.”(Adomonline.com, ibtimes.sg, Telegrafi, theyeshivaworld.com)

General Pavel, a veteran of the Soviet-era war in Afghanistan and more recently Syria, had been enjoying his retirement in a Moscow suburb until urgently summoned back to the front. His return follows the injury of his predecessor in an artillery strike—a blow to an already strained command structure.(Adomonline.com, ibtimes.sg, Newsweek, theyeshivaworld.com)

The retired general’s physical condition has caught public attention: he reportedly consumes five meals a day washed down with a liter of vodka, and requires custom-made uniforms and double body armor to accommodate his size.(Adomonline.com, Archyde, IJR, ibtimes.sg)

A Western intelligence insider quoted in the Daily Star framed the recall as symptomatic of mounting Russian losses:

“Most of his best and battle-hardened senior commanders have been killed or injured … so he is resorting to sending second-rate officers to the front who don’t last very long,” adding, “Putin is like a mafia boss … there is not much you can do.”(theyeshivaworld.com, Adomonline.com, IJR)

The move, which critics say underscores the Kremlin’s deteriorating military position, has sparked a wave of commentary—from grim humor to concern over escalating command desperation. Whether General Pavel can reinvigorate Russian special-forces effectiveness or merely symbolize a depleted leadership cadre remains an open—and troubling—question.