Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

http://i202.photobucket.com MOSCOW - Former Russian military leaders are warning that a Kremlin plan to let go two-thirds of Russia's officer corps would destroy the country's armed forces.

The warnings mark the strongest criticism to date of a sweeping plan to streamline the 1.1 million-member Russian armed forces. They appear to reflect rising opposition to Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov.

Retired Col. Vladimir Kvachkov told reporters Tuesday that implementation of the reforms would result in the military's collapse. Retired Col. Gen. Leonid Ivashov says reform is needed but that Serdyukov's plans are misguided. Serdyukov also has proposed a restructuring that wouldn drastically cut the number of military units.