Russia Appoints New Commander for Ukraine War

Russia appointed army chief of staff Valery Gerasimov in charge of its forces while its Ukraine invasion continues, the Russian defence ministry said Wednesday.

“Army General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, has been appointed Commander of the Joint Grouping of Troops (Forces),” the Russian defence ministry said in its statement.

Sergei Surovikin, who was earlier leading Russia’s forces in Ukraine during the last three months, will become Gerasimov’s assistant. According to the statement, Surovikin will work alongside two other generals, Oleg Salyukov and Alexei Kim.

Moscow was not happy with Surovkin’s performance. About a month after his appointment, Russia had to retreat from the southern city of Kherson, the only regional capital of Ukraine it held under control.