Appointment of Surovikin won’t greatly affect the course of the war, expert believes
A Ukrainian soldier on a destroyed Russian tank in Shakhtarsk, Donetsk Oblast, October 8, 2022 (Photo:REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra)
The Kremlin is trying to unify the command of its invasion force by putting General Sergei Surovikin in charge, but this is unlikely to affect the course of the war, a Ukrainian military expert has told NV.
Military commentator Denys Popovych, speaking on Radio NV on Oct. 9, said the general had a“certain reputation” in the Kremlin.
“We heard about him when he commanded the Russian troops that were advancing on Lysychansk, Severodonetsk, Rubizhne in the spring and summer,” Popovych said.
“Since he had a more or less ‘positive experience’ in Ukraine, he was appointed (as the commander of invading Russian forces). ... These cities were captured and thus this person has (a certain reputation) in the eyes of the Kremlin leadership.”
Popovych said that this is actually the first attempt by the Russians to try to put a single commander in charge of the invading forces, with the exception of the attempts by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to personally control events at the front.
“That’s why I think he was appointed, plus as you said – the Russians haven’t had one-man command of the so-called “special military operation,” except for Putin’s attempts to control units at the front.
“Therefore, they have now appointed this person and hope that this can streamline their actions.This is partly possible, but the problems of the Russians are of a systemic nature, and this doesn’t depend on which person they appoint to command their ‘operation.’”
General Surovikin was officially appointed commander of the Russian troops in Ukraine on Oct. 8.
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