General Gerasimov replaced Sergei Surovikin. In the three months after General Surovikin took office, attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure intensified.
In the statement made by the Russian Ministry of Defense regarding the change of duty, it was noted that the appointment of General Gerasimov was made “for the different elements within the armed forces to act more organized and effectively”.
‘TOO POWER’ CLAIM
Some experts consider the reshuffle as a sign that Surovikin may have gained too much power.
Military analyst Rob Lee shared on his Twitter account that “Surovikin was getting very strong and probably skipped Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and Chief of Staff Gerasimov while talking to Putin.”
Wednesday’s appointment is also being evaluated with the ongoing fierce clashes in Soledar.
The Russian mercenary company, the Wagner Group, claims that its forces have taken control of the city.
After Yevgeni Prigozhin, the group’s leader, shared this claim on Tuesday, a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense was made that did not confirm it.
On Wednesday, Prigojin once again repeated the claim on his Telegram account.
Experts speaking to the BBC say that elements such as Chechens participating in the war in Ukraine, the Wagner group and the militias in Donbas are trying to stand out in different ways.
Alexander Lord, who works as a Eurasian expert at the risk analysis company Sibylline, evaluates that Prigozhin is trying to present himself as the name that can win the war to Moscow.
According to the US-based think tank Institute for War Studies, Wagner Group leader Prigozhin will “continue to use his successes in Soledar and Bahmut to promote his group as the only force in Ukraine that can make tangible gains.”
Experts also underline that General Gerasimov, who was brought in charge of the Ukrainian forces, and Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner group, do not get along well.
REGISTERED IN UKRAINE
Russia has seen setbacks in Ukraine since its invasion, which is approaching a year, including losing control of Kherson, the only regional capital it has captured in the south.
Capturing Soledar is stated to be a victory for the Kremlin, both militarily and propagandaly, to be presented to critics within Russia, although its gains are relatively small and costly.
Clashes around Bahmut have been going on for months.
Oley Zhdanov, a respected military analyst in Ukraine, says that despite the long and intense war, neither Soledar nor Bahmut is of particular operational importance.
Speaking to the Ukrainian newspaper Gazeta on Monday, Zhdanov said Russia is “trying to prove to the world that its army is capable of winning”.