supreme command in Ukraine
Is this Syria veteran now leading Moscow’s troops?
04/09/2022, 12:30 p.m
The Russian offensive in Ukraine is progressing slowly. The lack of success is apparently leading to a rethink in Moscow. According to Western information, a general with experience in Syria is now to take command.
Russia is said to have reorganized its warfare in Ukraine and appointed a new commander with experience in Syria to head it. According to a Western government official, the attack is now being led by General Alexander Dvornikov, who has extensive war experience in Syria.
According to official information, Dwornikow joined the Red Army in 1978 and was also stationed in the GDR in the 1990s. Most recently he was commander in the southern military district of Russia. In 2016, President Vladimir Putin awarded him hero status for his service in the Syrian war. Officially, the change of command from the Russian side was initially not confirmed.
“This commander has a lot of experience with Russian operations in Syria, so we expect the overall leadership of the Russian army to improve,” the government official told the BBC about Dvornikov. The reorganization was an attempt to improve coordination between the various units, as Russian army groups had previously been organized and commanded separately. Previous Russian tactics have resulted in Moscow’s units being held back by a smaller number of Ukrainian units, the official said.
After invading Ukraine on February 24, Russia failed to capture major cities such as the capital, Kyiv. Most recently, its war of aggression has focused primarily on the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine. Experts believe Russian forces will be under pressure to achieve success by May 9. On the day, Russia traditionally celebrates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany.