President Vladimir Putin has dismissed or degraded Sergei Surovikin as the commander of the Ukraine invasion force, just three months after deploying him as the leader of Russian troops engaging in the Russia-Ukraine war. Sergei Surovikin, often known as “General Armageddon,” has been replaced as the Russian military’s chief of staff by Valery Gerasimov, according to the Associated Press.
Surovikin is notorious for his harshness and violence, and he served in the Soviet Union’s ultimately futile war in Afghanistan in the 1980s, according to Sky News. Furthermore, the military veteran was opposed to pro-democracy protestors in Moscow and had ordered them to open fire after three people were killed during the Soviet Union’s final days in 1991.
Sudden Change in Military strategy
Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s military minister, announced the replacement, describing it as “an increase in the level of leadership of the special operation,” which is critical during the invasion of Ukraine. According to Sky News, Surovikin would be Gerasimov’s deputy in the new military divisions. This shift in responsibilities will boost the effectiveness of military operations in Ukraine, as well as “the necessity to organize greater contact between troop types and armaments,” according to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
The new head of the Russian military
Putin’s right-hand man is Valery Gerasimov, who was recently deployed. According to Sky News, he was one among those involved in preparing the invasion of Ukraine, alongside the president and defense minister. Gerasimov previously worked as a deputy for General Nikolai Makarov during the second Chechen war. According to Sky News, the newly appointed head visited the frontline in the eastern Donbas region to raise the morale of Russian forces who had suffered serious losses in May.
Change of Russian head as Russian target Soledar
The announcement of a new military commander comes during the Russian-Ukraine conflict in Ukraine’s Soledar area, according to the BBC. Russian troops have deployed to the Soledar, allowing them to target the strategically important city of Bakhmut. This would provide Russian soldiers with a secure artillery position within striking distance of the city. According to BBC reports, Soledar, which contains deep salt mines, would be excellent for Russian troops to deploy and store equipment while protecting it from Ukrainian forces. Furthermore, Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group has claimed sole responsibility for “storming” it.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied Soledar’s death, according to the BBC. “The terrorist state and its propagandists are trying to pretend” to have won some wins in Soledar, said Zelenskyy during his nightly speech on Wednesday, “but the fighting continues”. Further, he added, “We do everything, without stopping for a single day, to strengthen Ukrainian defense. Our potential is growing.”