these guys look like James Bond villains
Posted on 01/11/2023 2:05:50 PM PST by Cronos
President Vladimir Putin has removed Russia's top commander in Ukraine, three months after he was installed.
Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov has been appointed to lead what Russia calls its "special military operation" against its neighbour.
He replaces Sergei Surovikin who has overseen Moscow's brutal attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
The reshuffle comes as Russian forces say they are making progress in eastern Ukraine after months of setbacks.
Gen Gerasimov, who has been in post since 2012, is the longest-serving Russian chief of general staff of the post-Soviet era.
Gen Surovikin - now his deputy - has been dubbed "General Armageddon" for his brutal tactics in previous wars, including Russia's operations in Syria.
Shortly after he was appointed to lead the operation in October, Russia began its campaign to destroy Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leaving millions of Ukrainian civilians without heat or power for extended periods in the depths of winter. He also oversaw Russia's withdrawal from the city of Kherson - a major success for the Ukrainians.
Russia's defence ministry said the decision to replace Gen Surovikin was aimed at organising "closer contact between different branches of the armed forces and improving the quality and effectiveness of the management of Russian forces".
But the move has been seen by some as a sign that he may have gained too much power.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
these guys look like James Bond villains
Looks like an electronic war game action figure.
This is not a sign of Russian success. I wonder how pro-Russians here are going to spin this.
Removal of the top general tells you everything you need to know about how badly the Russians are doing! LOL
Understatement of the year.
But, some here will still have trouble accepting it.
Therefore, well said.
Putin is so brilliant, firing officials to hide all the successes on the battlefield.
Previous threads today on this said it was a brilliant move by Putin.
Changing tactics after the MASSIVE victory at the salt mines of Soledar* means the Russians are getting ready to finally break out and finish off Ukraine. A new offensive simply requires a new commander. They’re interchangeable, depending on specific mission.
Putin is the master, we’re told, of 3D chess!
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*Russian forces had achieved “positive dynamics in advancing” in Soledar, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday, stopping short of declaring its capture. “Let’s not rush, and wait for official statements,” he said.
> Removal of the top general tells you everything you need to know about how badly the Russians are doing! LOL
They moved him to “Deputy” of the same operation and put the top ranked guy directly in charge. So he wasn’t sent to a radar station in northern Siberia or something like that and is probably still doing mostly the same job.
To me, corporate politics wise, that seems like the boss is angling to get credit for something coming up.
He’s a notorious thief - caught 2X selling Russian weapons on the Black Market and implicated in death of a whistleblower.
Didn’t meet his quota of bombed maternity hospitals?
"Ah! I see—in at the palace door one day, out at the window the next."
“these guys look like James Bond villains.”
You noticed that, too?
“This is not a sign of Russian success. I wonder how pro-Russians here are going to spin this.”
We’ll know just as soon as their handlers give them the talking points.
Not really. Chain of command was simplified, with Surovikin. Salukov and Kim reporting directly to Gerasimov. Surovikin's responsibilities have not changed. This is more an indication that operations are expanding than anything else.
The language quoted above is a very good example of glittering generalities. "Removed" is presented authoritatively, while the word usage is ambiguous. The "removal" (appeal to cleanlineslike. And amioration of disgust) is meant to give the reader a wash of oxytocin (linked to warm, fuzzy feelings and shown in some research to lower stress and anxiety).
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.
Salukov and Kim are now reporting to Gerasimov. So what are Salukov and Kim up to? Probably not frying bread in Wesson Oil.
They ARE James Bond villains...that’s why they’re losing!
This is also interesting from msn:
“Other officials have suggested Prigozhin is attempting to stake his claim over Russia’s military should Putin either die suddenly or be ousted from office – at which point a power vacuum would be created and a fight launched over who would become Putin’s successor.”
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