In intelligence remindthat Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that the commander of the “special military operation” in Ukraine was the chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov. He replaced General Sergei Surovikin in this position, who has led Russian troops in Ukraine since October 2022.
This appointment, according to the British Ministry of Defense, means an important change in Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s approach to managing war.
In intelligence notethat the appointment of Gerasimov as theater commander is an indication of the growing gravity of the situation in which Russia finds itself, and a clear recognition that the campaign is not in line with Russia’s strategic goals.
(4/6) The deployment of the CGS as theatre commander is an indicator of the increasing seriousness of the situation Russia is facing, and a clear acknowledgement that the campaign is falling short of Russia’s strategic goals.
— Ministry of Defence * (@DefenceHQ) January 11, 2023
“The move is likely to be met with extreme displeasure by much of Russia’s ultra-nationalists and war bloggers, who are increasingly accusing Gerasimov of mishandling the war,” he said. says in the message.
In the British War Office addedthat, unlike Gerasimov, Surovikin has gained wide publicity in the community for his support of a more realistic approach. Currently, as a second-in-command, his authority and influence has almost certainly been greatly diminished.
(6/6) In contrast, Surovikin has been widely praised by this community for his championing of a more realistic approach. As a now deputy commander, his authority and influence is almost certainly hugely reduced.
— Ministry of Defence * (@DefenceHQ) January 11, 2023
Shoigu appointed Surovikin commander troops in Ukraine in early October 2022 after the Ukrainian Armed Forces successfully de-occupied almost the entire territory of the Kharkiv region. Prior to that, he commanded the southern grouping of the Russian army in Ukraine for three months.
November 9 Shoigu gave the order to Surovikin to begin the withdrawal of the military from Kherson and from the right bank of the Kherson region. November 14 in Kherson officially raised the flag of Ukraine in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Under the command of Surovikin, Russia began massive shelling of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.
The new command of the Russian army did not meet the expectations of the Kremlin in the war against Ukraine, in this regard there is a possibility of replacementallowed the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov.
January 11, 2023 Shoigu appointed Gerasimov new commander of the occupation forces in Ukraine. At the same time, Surovikin was appointed Gerasimov’s deputy.
