The US military has confirmed that Lieutenant General Charles Costanza was removed from his position as commander of the V Corps in recent days.
Read more Latvian basketball players «Gintrai» – a ticket to the European Cup
According to the previous plan, his leadership was supposed to end only in October.
According to “ABC News,” the circumstances under which the general was removed early remain unclear for now.
This decision has attracted attention due to a broader context.
Under the leadership of US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, more than two dozen high-ranking officers have already been dismissed or removed from senior positions at the Pentagon, often without detailed public explanations.
However, an “ABC News” source familiar with the circumstances of C. Costanza’s removal said that this case is not related to the broader efforts of P. Hegseth to restructure the top military leadership and has no political basis.
C. Costanza was to be replaced in office by Major General Thomas Feltey. His candidacy had already been approved by the US Senate, but the official change was scheduled only for October.
Led one of the most important US structures in Europe
V Corps is responsible for overseeing the activities and coordinating operations of the US Army in Europe.
Part of its leadership operates in Poland, and after Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the corps’ role has significantly increased. It helps coordinate US support to Kyiv and American forces’ activities on NATO’s eastern flank.
C. Costanza led V Corps since April 2024. Previously, he was the commander of the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
After his removal, Brigadier General John B. Mountford is temporarily acting as the commander of V Corps.
Changes occur amid reduction of US forces in Europe
The general’s removal coincides with other changes in the US military presence in Europe.
This year, the Pentagon reduced part of the US military forces in Europe.
One of the most notable decisions was the unexpected cancellation of the planned deployment of the 2nd Armored Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division in Poland.
This decision was criticized in Warsaw, but later US President Donald Trump announced that the United States would deploy about 5,000 troops in Poland.
Read more UAE: Iran fired on ADNOC tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, no casualties reported
