Russian President Vladimir Putin has replaced the commander leading his country’s war in Ukraine just three months after he handed him the job.
Sergei Surovikin, nicknamed “General Armageddon,” has been replaced by Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who is head of the Russian military, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday. The change was described by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu as “an increase in the level of leadership of the special operation,” which is what Moscow calls its invasion of Ukraine.
PUTIN SNAPS IN RECORDED MEETING WITH MINISTERS
Surovikin was put in overall charge of the Ukraine operations just last October. He will stay on as Gerasimov’s deputy. Surovikin’s time in charge was marked by intense Russian shelling of Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and Russia’s retreat from the southern city of Kherson.
The replaced general previously won respect commanding Russian troops in Tajikistan, Chechnya, and Syria, according to Russian newspaper Kommersant, earning one of his many monikers: “Severe,” a play on his name in Russian. He then made a name for himself as a no-nonsense military commander, albeit one with a disregard for the standard rules of engagement.
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Surovikin commanded the southern grouping of troops, which had seen the most success in the conflict. His appointment was expected by many to bear fruit for the Russians, helping to rectify the critical leadership problems that plagued them since February.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The war approaches its anniversary on Feb. 24, and as of yet, its conclusion does not seem to be drawing near anytime soon.
