Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Russia’s top commander in the Ukraine war, just three months after he was appointed.
In early October, Putin appointed Surovikin as commander of the joint group of troops in Ukraine.
Valerii Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, was appointed to this position, while Surovikin became his deputy, Russian state-owned media agency RIA Novosti, reported referring to the Russian Ministry of Defence.
RIA Novosti reported that General Surovikin, Oleg Salyukov, Chief of the Ground Forces General, and General Kim, Deputy Chief of the General Staff Colonel, have been appointed as Gerasimov’s deputies.
The Ministry of Defence called this rotation “an increase in the level of leadership of the special military operation”.
The reshuffle comes as Russians claim they are making progress in eastern Ukraine after suffering a series of military defeats in recent months.
Russia launched its invasion into Ukraine on 24 February.
Gen Gerasimov, who has been in post since 2012, is the longest-serving Russian chief of general staff of the post-Soviet era.
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