General Nikolai Makarov, Russian armed forces chief, dismissed by Vladimir Putin

President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Russian armed forces chief, General Nikolai Makarov, just three days after the defence minister was sacked over a corruption scandal.

General Valery Gerasimov replaces General Nikolai Makarov as the new armed forces chief of general staff.

Gen. Valery Gerasimov commanded Russian forces during the conflict in Chechnya.

Russian authorities are investigating the sale of defence ministry assets at prices below market value.

On Tuesday President Vladimir Putin dismissed defence minister Anatoly Serdyukov, replacing him with a former emergencies minister and loyal ally, Sergei Shoigu.

General Nikolai Makarov, Russian armed forces chief, dismissed by Vladimir Putin