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Ukraine war: Sergei Surovikin removed as commander of the Russian invasion force
BBC ^ | 11th January 2023

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 ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Russia
KEYWORDS: bidenteamnews; blueandyellowpompoms; commanderinchiefjoe; hemayhave; notourwar; seenbysomeasasign; sergeisurovikin; speculation; theusualdumbspects; theusualnutcases; theusualsuspects; valerygerasimov
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these guys look like James Bond villains

1 posted on 01/11/2023 2:05:50 PM PST by Cronos
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To: Cronos

Looks like an electronic war game action figure.


2 posted on 01/11/2023 2:13:42 PM PST by DoughtyOne (I pledge allegiance to the flag of the USofA & to the Constitutional REPUBLIC for which it stands.)
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To: Cronos

This is not a sign of Russian success. I wonder how pro-Russians here are going to spin this.


3 posted on 01/11/2023 2:13:44 PM PST by eclectic (Liberalism is a mental disorder)
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To: Cronos

Removal of the top general tells you everything you need to know about how badly the Russians are doing! LOL


4 posted on 01/11/2023 2:19:37 PM PST by deener
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To: eclectic
This is not a sign of Russian success.

Understatement of the year.

But, some here will still have trouble accepting it.

Therefore, well said.

5 posted on 01/11/2023 2:22:03 PM PST by Golden Eagle (The LGBT indoctrination agenda is designed to outlaw the Bible, and anyone who follows it.)
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To: eclectic

Putin is so brilliant, firing officials to hide all the successes on the battlefield.


6 posted on 01/11/2023 2:25:48 PM PST by Williams (Stop Tolerating The Intolerant)
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To: eclectic

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.


7 posted on 01/11/2023 2:27:27 PM PST by Alas Babylon! (Gov't declaring misinformation is tyranny: “Who determines what false information is?” )
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To: deener

> 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.


8 posted on 01/11/2023 2:36:40 PM PST by glorgau
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To: Cronos

He’s a notorious thief - caught 2X selling Russian weapons on the Black Market and implicated in death of a whistleblower.


9 posted on 01/11/2023 2:48:48 PM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
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To: Cronos

Didn’t meet his quota of bombed maternity hospitals?


10 posted on 01/11/2023 2:49:04 PM PST by lump in the melting pot (Believe nothing until it is denied by the Kremlin)
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To: Cronos
"I am ruminating," said Mr. Pickwick, ‘on the strange mutability of human affairs."

"Ah! I see—in at the palace door one day, out at the window the next."

11 posted on 01/11/2023 2:52:47 PM PST by Mr Ramsbotham ("God is a spirit, and man His means of walking on the earth.")
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To: Cronos

“these guys look like James Bond villains.”

You noticed that, too?


12 posted on 01/11/2023 2:58:20 PM PST by ought-six (Multiculturalism is national suicide, and political correctness is the cyanide capsule. )
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To: eclectic

“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.


13 posted on 01/11/2023 2:59:39 PM PST by ought-six (Multiculturalism is national suicide, and political correctness is the cyanide capsule. )
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To: Cronos
President Vladimir Putin has removed Russia's top commander in Ukraine, three months after he was installed.

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).

14 posted on 01/11/2023 3:27:31 PM PST by frithguild (The warmth and goodness of Gaia is a nuclear reactor in the Earth's core that burns Thorium)
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To: Cronos
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.

15 posted on 01/11/2023 3:31:16 PM PST by Widget Jr (🇺🇦 Sláva Ukrayíni 🇺🇦 - No CCCP 2.0)
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To: glorgau
To me, corporate politics wise, that seems like the boss is angling to get credit for something coming up.

Salukov and Kim are now reporting to Gerasimov. So what are Salukov and Kim up to? Probably not frying bread in Wesson Oil.

16 posted on 01/11/2023 3:38:41 PM PST by frithguild (The warmth and goodness of Gaia is a nuclear reactor in the Earth's core that burns Thorium)
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To: Widget Jr
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.

17 posted on 01/11/2023 3:53:53 PM PST by Right_Wing_Madman
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To: Cronos

They ARE James Bond villains...that’s why they’re losing!


18 posted on 01/11/2023 4:24:40 PM PST by MeganC (There is nothing feminine about feminism. )
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To: Cronos

19 posted on 01/11/2023 5:26:20 PM PST by Apparatchik (If you find yourself in a confusing situation, simply laugh knowingly and walk away - Jim Ignatowski)
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To: Cronos

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.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/vladamir-putin-deepens-feud-with-russian-mercenary-chief-who-bragged-his-rogue-troops-captured-key-ukrainian-battleground/ar-AA16eVVa?rc=1&ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=2c74708420d34032bd5e757dca288c45


20 posted on 01/11/2023 6:13:50 PM PST by Sunsong
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