President Vladimir Putin has removed Russia’s top commander in Ukraine just three months after installing him.
Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov will now lead what Mr Putin has described as a “special military operation”.
General Gerasimov replaces Sergei Sarovkin, who has overseen recent brutal attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The reshuffle comes as the Russians claim they are making progress in eastern Ukraine after military defeats in recent months.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
General Gerasimov, in office since 2012, is the longest-serving post-Soviet Russian Chief of General Staff.
General Sarovkin – now his deputy – has been dubbed “General Armageddon” for his brutal tactics in previous wars, including Russia’s operations in Syria and particularly the heavy bombardment of the city of Aleppo.
Shortly after his appointment to lead the operation in October, Russia began its campaign to destroy Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving millions of Ukrainian citizens without electricity or running water for long periods in the depths of winter. was left without. He also oversaw the Russian withdrawal from the southern city of Kherson, a major victory for the Ukrainians.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said the decision to replace General Sarovkin was aimed at “establishing closer coordination between the various branches of the armed forces and improving the quality and effectiveness of the management of the Russian forces.”
But some have seen the move as a sign that he has gained too much power.
Military analyst Rob Lee wrote on Twitter, “As the unified commander in Ukraine, Sarvokin was becoming too powerful, and likely bypassed [Russian Defense Minister Sergei] Shoigu and Gerasimov when talking to Putin. “
Some of Russia’s hawkish military bloggers, who support the war but are often critical of the way it was conducted, have been highly critical of Russia’s military leadership, including the new head of special operations, General Gerasimov.
Wednesday’s announcement comes as fighting continues in Soledar.
The fall of Soledar could allow Russian troops to attack the strategic city of Bakhmut, about 10 kilometers (six miles) to the southwest, giving them a secure artillery position within the city limits.
Soledar also has deep salt mines, which could be used to store troops and equipment to protect against Ukrainian missiles.
Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group takes full credit for “storming” it.
On Tuesday night, the group’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said his forces were in full control of Soledar. However, on Wednesday the Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement that appeared to deny its claim – or that only Wagner Group soldiers were involved.
That led Mr Prigosan to repeat the claim on Wednesday evening. In a brief statement on Telegram, he boasted that his mercenaries had killed about 500 pro-Ukrainian soldiers. “The whole city is littered with dead bodies of Ukrainian soldiers,” he wrote.
Ukraine recently made similar comments about Russian corpses.
There is no independent verification.
U.S.-based Maxar Technologies Co. has released images of Soledar in August and early January that show the devastation caused by the recent fighting.
