The new commander of the Russian troops is Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s senior officer. It is unclear whether Putin is handing him the goblet of poison or whether he particularly trusts him. One thing is certain: predecessor Sergei Surovikin was demoted.
from
Silke Bigalke, Moscow
The Kremlin has changed the commander of its troops in Ukraine, once again. However, the command is not taken by a fresh idea generator, but by an old acquaintance: Valeri Gerasimov has been chief of staff of the Russian armed forces for more than ten years and is therefore their highest-ranking officer anyway. With the personnel, paths are now mainly shortened, the previous commander in Ukraine had to involve Gerasimov in many of his decisions. From now on, the general has a dual role, as he remains chief of staff.