Periodic concerns regarding inefficiency and corruption within the top ranks of the Russian military have plagued President Vladimir V. Putin's war efforts since the onset of the Ukrainian invasion in early 2022. Despite mounting pressure for change following battlefield setbacks and public criticism from a deceased mercenary leader, Putin refrained from making major public moves. However, recent developments have seen the replacement of the defense minister for the first time in over a decade and the arrest of several high-ranking officials on corruption charges. This overhaul reflects Putin's preference for strategic and deliberate action rather than reactive changes during crises. The timing of these moves suggests Putin's growing confidence in the military's prospects in Ukraine and his political hold as he begins his fifth presidential term. The changes are also seen as an attempt to address long-standing demands for reform and to restore public confidence in the military leadership, while also potentially settling political scores and sending an anti-corruption message. These developments, though unlikely to eradicate widespread corruption, are expected to introduce a period of caution among top officials and contribute to a gradual shift in accepted behavior within the military establishment.