Putin Announces Reshuffling of Top Military Leadership

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced a major reshuffle across the top ranks of Russia’s military, appointing new operational commanders in Ukraine, a unified logistics chief and a head for the newly established drone warfare branch. “We’re continuing to refine the Defense Ministry’s organizational structure to keep pace with the needs and lessons learned from the special military operation,” Putin said in a televised Kremlin meeting, using the official term for Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As part of the reshuffle, the president appointed Colonel General Denis Lyamin to head Russia’s newly established Unmanned Systems Forces. Putin also reorganized frontline leadership in eastern and southern Ukraine, naming Colonel General Andrei Ivanayev commander of the “Center” group of forces and Lieutenant General Pyotr Bolgarev commander of the “East” group. Putin also reorganized leadership within Russia’s operational fronts in eastern and southern Ukraine, naming Colonel General Andrei Ivanayev commander of the “Center” group of forces and Lieutenant General Pyotr Bolgarev commander of the “East” group of forces. He described the “Center” grouping’s objective to capture the entire eastern Donetsk region as “critical and high-stakes,” while praising the “East” grouping for its “dynamic and aggressive” advance across southern Donetsk and partially occupied Zaporizhzhia. Meanwhile, former “Center” commander Colonel General Valery Solodchuk was appointed Deputy Defense Minister, overseeing rear support and logistical services and unifying supply and transportation operations under his command. “No one understands what our troops, soldiers, and commanders need on the ground today better than frontline district and task force commanders like you,” Putin told Solodchuk. Solodchuk is listed as a wanted war criminal by Ukraine’s HUR military intelligence agency, which accuses his forces of committing war crimes during the early 2022 attack on Kyiv. The reshuffle follows Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov’s launch of the military’s largest administrative reform in more than a decade. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help . Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $ 2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later .