TODAY: Yury Baluyevsky leaves his post following conflicts; Politkovskaya suspect released; Kasparov criticizes Russian press; Duma to ban Valentine’s Day. Following reports of disagreements with Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov over the direction and implementation of military reforms, General Staff chief Yury Baluyevsky has left his post. Conflicting reports say he was fired by Dmitry Medvedev, and that the President “endorsed his resignation”. Another report says Baluyevsky “had become an obstacle to a campaign launched by former President Vladimir Putin to tighten control over military spending.” Medvedev is in Berlin today for talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel.