MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin replaced the head of the Russian military’s general staff and a number of top generals Friday, continuing an overhaul of military leaders that began with the removal of Russia’s defense minister earlier this week.

Colonel General Valery Gerasimov will replace General Nikolai Makarov, who has served as chief of the general staff since 2008. The move was not unexpected, since the new defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, has the right to install his own team in top military posts.