Russia and Ukraine: Vladimir Putin fires Sergey Surovikin as commander of Russian forces in Ukraine

General Surovikin, now Gerasimov’s deputy, is nicknamed “General Armageddon” due to his tactical prowess in previous wars, including Russia’s operations in Syria.

Soon after being named to lead the operation in October, Russia began its campaign to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He also oversaw Russia’s withdrawal from Kherson.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the decision to replace General Surovikin was aimed at organizing “closer contacts between the various branches of the armed forces and improving the quality and effectiveness of the management of the Russian forces”.

But some took the move as a sign it may have gained too much power.

“As the unified leader in Ukraine, Surovkin has become so powerful that he was probably outnumbering (Russian Defense Minister Sergei) Shoigu and Gerasimov when he spoke to Putin,” military analyst Rob Lee wrote on Twitter.

Some military bloggers in Russia, who support the war but are often critical of the way it is being waged, have been highly critical of Russia’s military leadership, including the new head of the special operation, General Gerasimov.

divided around solidarity

Wednesday’s announcement comes as fighting continues in Solidar in eastern Ukraine.

The fall of Solidar could aid Russian forces in their attack on the strategic city of Bakhmut, about 10 kilometers southwest, by providing them with a secure artillery position within range of the city.

Solidar also has deep salt mines, which can be used to deploy troops and store equipment, protected from Ukrainian missiles.

The pro-Russian Wagner Group takes all the credit for the city’s “storm”.

The group’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said on Tuesday evening that his forces are in full control of Solidar. However, on Wednesday, Russia’s Defense Ministry released a statement that appears to contradict its claim that only Wagner Group forces took part in the operation.

This prompted Prigozhin to repeat the claim on Wednesday evening. In a brief statement on Telegram, he boasted that his forces had killed around 500 pro-Ukrainian forces. “The whole city is strewn with the corpses of Ukrainian soldiers,” he wrote.

The apparent differences point to divisions in Russia’s military leadership, particularly between the Wagner Group and the Defense Ministry.

For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has denied the fall of the city.

“The terrorist state and its promoters are trying to pretend” that they have had successes in Solidar, “but the fight goes on,” Zelensky said in his Wednesday evening speech.

“We are doing everything without stopping a day to strengthen the defense of Ukraine. Our potential is growing,” he added.