Russia changes top officer in Ukraine. Who is Valery Gerasimov? – National | 24CA News

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu appointed Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov on Wednesday to supervise Russia’s army marketing campaign in Ukraine within the newest shake-up of Moscow’s army management.

Shoigu appointed Gerasimov as commander of the mixed forces group for Moscow’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, the protection ministry mentioned in a press release.

Russia had promoted Sergey Surovikin, nicknamed “General Armageddon” by the Russian media for his reputed ruthlessness, to be its high battlefield commander solely final October following a collection of Ukrainian counter-offensives that turned the tide of the battle.

Surovikin will stay as a deputy of Gerasimov, the protection ministry mentioned.

It mentioned the modifications have been designed to extend the effectiveness of managing army operations in Ukraine, greater than 10 months into the marketing campaign.

Gerasimov, like Shoigu, has confronted sharp criticism from pro-war army bloggers for Russia’s a number of setbacks on the battlefield and failure to safe victory in a marketing campaign the Kremlin had anticipated to take simply a short while.

1:59
Russia, Ukraine commerce blame for violence following failed ceasefire

Russian and Ukrainian forces have been engaged in intense combating on Wednesday over the city of Soledar in japanese Ukraine, a stepping stone in Moscow’s push to seize the whole Donbas area. The Russians appeared to have the higher hand.