Free Republic

Gen. Aleksandr Dvornikov, picked by Russian President Vladimir Putin last month to take over the invasion of Ukraine, has disappeared, according to a new report. The so-called Butcher of Syria has not been seen in two weeks, leading officials to speculate that he is no longer in command of the campaign, the New York Times reported Tuesday. Dvornikov, who was given command of Russia's Southern Military District after achieving infamy for his brutal campaigns in Syria, was tasked in early April with conquering Ukraine's eastern Donbas region after a large-scale attack on Ukraine floundered in the face of heavy resistance...

Russia has appointed a new commander to oversee the war in Ukraine as it shifts its strategy following an initial setback, the United States said. The Kremlin has tapped Army General Aleksandr Dvornikov, who commands Russia’s forces in the southern military district, to lead the war in Ukraine, U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan said in an interview with CNN on April 10.

Russian President Vladimir Putin instated a new commander to lead operations in Ukraine as officials warn Moscow is looking to shift its focus in eastern Ukraine after more than six weeks of war. Gen. Alexander Dvornikov, commander of Russia’s southern military district (SMD), will now lead the invasion, first reported the BBC late Friday. Dvornikov not only has known experience in Russia’s campaign in Syria, but also led military exercises in southern Russia last year, right along Ukraine’s border with the Donbas region. A western official told the outlet that the change in command will improve Russia’s flagging invasion after...