The Russian army has - not for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine - the necessary changes of the guard at the top of defense this week. Sergei Soerovikin, who has been in charge of the offensive in Ukraine since October 2022, has to stand still. The current Chief of Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valeri Gerasimov will take over his duties, the Ministry of Defense reports.

In the statement, the Russian ministry says that Gerasimov has been appointed "commander of joint forces" in Ukraine to replace Soerovikin. The latter took office in October, but will now be the vice commander. According to Reuters, the ministry points to the "broadening of assignments", "the need for closer interaction" between the various army units and "improvement of the quality and effectiveness of the management of the Russian army" as an explanation for the replacement.