The military biography of Colonel General Aleksandr Lapin after February 2022 reads like a chain of defeats, public scandals, and new appointments. The unsuccessful offensive on northern Ukraine, the retreat from Lyman, the failure of the defense of Kursk Oblast — after each episode, the general briefly disappeared and returned in a different position.

The most striking symbol of this system was a video where Lapin personally presented an award to his own son. At that moment, his son's unit was already retreating, and the Russian army was abandoning Kyiv and Chernihiv Oblasts.

A Medal for His Son After Retreat

Lieutenant Colonel Denis Lapin commanded the 1st Guards Tank Regiment, which participated in the offensive on Sumy and Chernihiv. The operation failed to achieve its stated objectives: Russian units suffered losses, became bogged down in communications, and retreated in late March 2022.

Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Defense's TV channel 'Zvezda' showed Aleksandr Lapin awarding his son the Zhukov Medal 'for courage and valor.' BBC journalists noted not only the family connection but also the timing of the broadcast: on the day it aired, Russian troops were retreating from the very directions for actions in which Lapin Jr. received the award.

Lyman and the Public War of Generals

In autumn 2022, the 'Center' Grouping, commanded by Lapin, failed to hold Lyman. The retreat became one of the most notable defeats for the Russian army after the Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast.

Ramzan Kadyrov publicly called Lapin incompetent and claimed that the general was far from his subordinates. Yevgeny Prigozhin supported the criticism. In late October, reports emerged of Lapin's removal from the position of commander of the 'Center' Grouping.

The Return of the 'Traffic Cop General'

The dismissal proved short-lived. Already in January 2023, Lapin was appointed Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces. In spring, he was filmed in Belgorod Oblast: the general, armed, was directing vehicle movement and showing soldiers where to run. For these shots, pro-war channels dubbed him the 'Traffic Cop General'.

In 2024, Lapin headed the re-established Leningrad Military District and the 'Sever' (North) Grouping. He was responsible for covering the border, including in Kursk Oblast.

Kursk Oblast: A Border Without Reserves

In August 2024, Ukrainian units crossed the border and rapidly advanced into Kursk Oblast. Journalists and military analysts pointed to weak defenses, a lack of trained reserves, and fragmented command. The Russian command had received reports of force concentration before the invasion but failed to create sufficient defensive depth.

No official investigation into Lapin's decisions was published. He retained his position for approximately another year, participated in operations in Kharkiv and Sumy Oblasts, and was only replaced as head of the 'Sever' Grouping in August 2025.

Dismissal — and a New Political Life

In September 2025, Russian media reported that Lapin had been completely dismissed from military service. This stood out against the usual practice of transferring failed commanders to other positions. However, the story did not end there: the general found work as an assistant to the head of Tatarstan, and in 2026, his name appeared among possible candidates for the State Duma.

The Outcome

Lapin was not unsinkable due to a lack of failures — his failures were too conspicuous. He remained afloat because the Russian system more often rewarded loyalty and the ability to survive bureaucratic conflicts than it demanded a public review of military decisions.

The son received a medal after a retreat. The father received the Hero Star, new appointments, and three more years of career after Lyman. Even dismissal from the army turned out not to be an end, but a transition into regional politics.