Russia puts top general Valery Gerasimov in charge of Ukraine campaign
- Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov will take over from ‘General Armageddon’ Sergei Surovikin
- Russia’s military leaders have faced broad criticism for troop performance in the Ukraine conflict
Russia’s top military officer has been put in charge of troops fighting in Ukraine, a move that appears to reflect the Kremlin’s dissatisfaction with the current leadership and flaws in the military’s performance.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said that General Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, was named the new commander of the unified group of forces in Ukraine.
The reshuffle, which was formally ordered by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, clearly came on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approval, signalling that he still has trust in his top military leaders who have faced broad criticism for the troops’ performance in the conflict.
It also suggests a recognition of flaws in carrying out what Putin called “the special military operation” in Ukraine.
While announcing Gerasimov’s appointment on Wednesday, the Defence Ministry said it was aimed at improving coordination between various forces fighting in Ukraine.
