Sergei Surovikin removed as commander of Ukraine invasion force

Russia’s top commander in Ukraine, Sergei Surovikin, has been removed from his post after just three months in the job. 

Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov will now lead Russia’s war in Ukraine – referred to as a “special military operation” by President Putin. 

The reshuffle comes as Russia claims they are making progress in eastern Ukraine after suffering a series of military defeats in recent months. 

Russia has launched many attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. 

Gen Gerasimov is the longest-serving Russian chief of general staff of the post-Soviet era. 

Gen Surovikin has been dubbed “General Armageddon” for his brutal tactics in previous wars, including Russia’s operations in Syria and the heavy bombardment of the city of Aleppo in particular.

He was appointed in October and lead the operation to destroy Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving millions of Ukrainians without power or water for long periods of time during the winter cold. He also oversaw Russia’s withdrawal from the southern city of Kherson – a major success for Ukraine. 

Many believe Surovikin was removed from his post due to having gained too much power. 

“As the unified commander in Ukraine, Surovikin was becoming very powerful, and was likely bypassing [Russian Defence Minister Sergei] Shoigu and Gerasimov when talking to Putin,” military analyst Rob Lee wrote on Twitter.