[Widget Jr]

General Gerasimov is the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian military, equivalent to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Why put him in charge of the invasion, and in charge now? Why was Surovikin put in charge at all? Why was Gerasimov not officially in charge of the invasion from the start?

I am not sure how to read this or if there is anything to read into it here. The politics around Putin and the Russian military leadership have been positively Byzantine from the start.

[Right_Wing_Madman]

Why was Surovikin put in charge at all? Why was Gerasimov not officially in charge of the invasion from the start?

Chief of Staff is not a command position. I'm a little surprised, but not shocked, by the shake-up. Surovikin showed to be a careful, cautious, low-risk commander who seemed to prefer defense and preserving combat power over offensive operations. Many Russians were frustrated at the pace of operations since he took command four months ago. I suspect he is not regarded as the right fit to lead the next phase of the war.